Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: an Important Consideration in Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a common surgery performed with curative intent for periampullary and pancreatic head neoplasms. In the presence of intrinsic celiac artery narrowing due to atherosclerosis or extrinsic compression due to median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), division of the gastroduodenal artery during PD can result in liver ischemia. This report describes a patient who had MALS which was treated by intraoperative median arcuate ligament release during PD, resulting in restoration of hepatic artery pulsations. Preventive, management strategies for MALS and the communicating vascular arcades between the celiac and superior mesenteric arterial systems are discussed in the context of PD.