Laparoscopic Approach to Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: A Single-Center Experience

TL;DR

This paper shares a hospital's nine-year experience using laparoscopic surgery to treat a rare vascular disorder called MALS, showing it is safe and effective for most patients.

Contribution

The study provides real-world evidence supporting laparoscopic decompression as a preferred treatment for symptomatic MALS.

Findings

Laparoscopic decompression was successfully performed in 11 patients with MALS without intraoperative complications.

At 3-year follow-up, 36.4% of patients experienced symptom recurrence linked to celiac trunk stenosis.

Patients reported reduced pain and indigestion, though results were not statistically significant.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), also known as Dunbar syndrome, is a vascular compression disorder. Over time, laparoscopy has become increasingly important in the treatment of MALS, gradually replacing open surgical reconstruction as the preferred first-line approach in most cases. We present nine years of experience managing patients with MALS, aiming to contribute to the evidence supporting this long-debated condition. Materials and Methods: A single-center prospective observational cohort study analysis was conducted. CT angiography was used to confirm the diagnosis of MALS in all patients. All surgical patients completed the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) questionnaires preoperatively and postoperatively. All the patients underwent laparoscopic decompression. Postoperative follow-up visits were scheduled at one month and three years postoperatively. Results: During the study period, 37 patients were diagnosed with MALS, of whom 11 (29.7%) were symptomatic and underwent laparoscopic decompression. The operated cohort consisted of nine women and two men (mean age 56.7 ± 10.7 years). All patients reported postprandial epigastric pain, and 63.6% experienced weight loss. Laparoscopic decompression was successfully completed in all cases without intraoperative complications. Two patients had stenting after surgery, and in two, prior to surgery. The mean operative time was 103 ± 54 min, and the mean hospital stay was 4.2 ± 2.2 days. At 3-year follow-up, 36.4% of patients reported recurrent symptoms associated with recurrent celiac trunk stenosis on CT angiography. Overall, the patients had less indigestion and less pain; however, the differences did not reach a statistically significant level. Conclusions: Laparoscopic decompression of the median arcuate ligament is a feasible and safe treatment for carefully selected patients with symptomatic MALS, offering durable symptom relief in most cases with minimal morbidity.

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