Short and longterm outcome of minimally invasive therapy of median arcuate ligament syndrome

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a rare disorder caused by compression of the celiac artery (CA) by the median arcuate ligament (MAL). Common symptoms include postprandial abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. While laparoscopic MAL division has long been considered the procedure of choice, robotic-assisted procedures have been increasingly used since their introduction. Aim of this study was to evaluate peri- and postoperative outcomes after minimally invasive MAL release.

A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing minimally invasive MAL release at the Department of Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, between 2014 and 2023 was performed.

20 patients met the inclusion criteria and underwent either laparoscopic (n = 3) or robotic (n = 17) MAL release. Most common preoperative symptoms were postprandial abdominal pain (90%), weight loss (45%), diarrhea (30%), and nausea (25%). Comparing laparoscopic and robotic surgery, neither the median duration of surgery (minutes: 98 (90–290) vs. 125 (80–254); p = 0.765), the median length of hospital stay (days: 4 (3–4) vs. 5 (3–6); p = 0.179) and intraoperative blood loss (< 50 ml in both groups, p = 1.0) showed significant differences. Peak systolic velocity in the CA was significantly reduced postoperatively (cm/s: 320 (200–765) vs. 167 (100–500), p < 0.001). Postoperatively, 17 (85%) patients reported symptom improvement, while 4 (20%) patients had no symptom relief at last follow-up. In 3 cases, follow-up imaging showed evidence of respiratory-related CA stenosis.

Despite being complex and challenging procedures, laparoscopic and robotic-assisted MAL release are safe procedures with low risk of postoperative complications and good longterm outcomes.