SURGICAL TECHNIQUE / CASE REPORT

Celiac Artery Compression Syndrome: Successful Utilization of Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Approach
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Nikhil P. Jaik¹, S. Peter Stawicki², Natalie S Weger¹, John J. Lukaszczyk³

1) Department of Surgery and
3) Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network, Bethlehem.
2) Stawicki Research Foundation King of Prussia, PA

Abstract

Median arcuate ligament (MAL) syndrome, also known as the celiac axis compression syndrome (CACS) is rare, and a topic of ongoing academic controversy. CACS is a diagnosis of exclusion, characterized by the clinical triad of postprandial abdominal pain, weight loss, and vomiting. The classic management of CACS involves the surgical division of the MAL fibers. We report successful treatment of a 23-year-old woman with CACS utilizing the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, California) via robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgical division of the MAL. To our knowledge this is the first report of this modality used in the treatment of the celiac axis compression syndrome.

Key words
Celiac axis compresion syndrome - robotic-assisted - minimally invasive surgery