The celiac compression syndrome: myth or reality?

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Gastroenterology
• Abdominal Pain Syndromes

Background:

• Median arcuate ligament syndrome involves celiac artery compression.
• Surgical decompression is a treatment option for symptomatic patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term efficacy of surgical decompression for celiac artery compression.
• To assess the validity of celiac artery compression syndrome as a distinct clinical entity.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of fifteen patients undergoing median arcuate ligament division.
• Assessment of symptom resolution and recurrence at long-term follow-up.

Main Results:

• Initial pain relief was observed in most patients post-surgery.
• Only two out of fifteen patients remained asymptomatic at 1.5-9.5 year follow-up.
• High rate of symptom recurrence suggests limited long-term benefit.

Conclusions:

• Surgical division of the median arcuate ligament provides minimal long-term relief for celiac artery compression.
• The findings challenge the existence of celiac artery compression syndrome as a common cause of abdominal pain.
• Further investigation is needed to identify potential subgroups with symptomatic celiac artery compression.