The splanchnic syndrome. Diagnosis and indications for treatment

The typical chronic splanchnic syndrome is characterized by upper abdominal pain usually provoked by a meal, the finding of an epigastric bruit and weight loss in conjunction with haemodynamically significant stenosis of two or more of the splanchnic arteries. Diagnosis of chronic splanchnic syndrome depends mainly on a strong clinical suspicion. Usually the classical triad is incomplete or absent. Therefore chronic splanchnic syndrome should be considered, in every patient with chronic abdominal discomfort, after exclusion of other more common causes of upper abdominal discomfort. Findings from nonvasive and invasive diagnostic tests support the presence of chronic splanchnic syndrome. However, until now, the diagnosis of chronic splanchnic syndrome has usually only been made retrospectively if all the symptoms disappeared after technically successful reconstructive surgery. A variety of surgical techniques has been advocated to repair the splanchnic arteries. The choice of the technique is usually based on the preference and experience of the surgeon.