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Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)
Digestive Health | Last Active: 7 hours ago | Replies (1229)Comment receiving replies
Hello, my name is Shawnee. I live in Houston, TX and was recently diagnosed with Celiac Artery Compression Syndrome after 2 CT scans, 2 Ultrasounds, and a lot of abdominal pain/nausea. Of course, I’m one of the “out of the norm” patients whose compression occurs when I inhale (not exhale). I’m 44 years old and I’ve been dealing with this for over a year which all started with GERD. The pain and nausea didn’t occur until just 4 months ago. I see Dr. Galvani here in Houston at the Baylor College of Medicine. He suggests robotic surgery to cut the ligament and remove some of the nerves. Has anyone else had this done? I was hoping to get a second opinion but having a hard time finding a doctor who is familiar with this particular medical condition. All information, suggestions, advice would be greatly appreciated. I requested to join the MALS PALS FB group today. Thank you all in advance for your help and support.
Replies to "Hello, my name is Shawnee. I live in Houston, TX and was recently diagnosed with Celiac..."
Hi Shawnee, I live in Dallas. I just had robotic lapriscopic surgery on Wednesday. I am just starting third day post op so I can’t say yet how I feel cause I have all the pain from the surgery. My surgeon is older so he has done this before. He was very confident in what needed to be done. He told my family when came out that it was very successful. Another vascular surgeon was ready to assist but was not needed. They were ready to convert to open if needed but didn’t him after al. I will update as I progress. I believe I can tell that I am able to eat more and don’t have that after eating pain but as I said, I’m holding cmmenting too much till I am out of this surgical pain.
Also wanted to post this article if possible. The Cleveland Clinic has reached out to other hospitals to share their knowledge on vascular issues for people that cannot travel to the clinic. https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/cleveland-clinic-teams-with-three-baylor-hospitals-to-provide-heart-care/. I consulted with three docs before deciding. Two vascular and one general surgeon.
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Hi Shawnee
Welcome to Mayo. From my research the procedure your Dr recommended has worked for many in the past. Is the doctor doing the surgery a vascular surgeon? May I ask if you have got to the stage of not eating yet. If you are lucky and they caught the compression early having the surgery may be beneficial. I feel the longer the condition goes un-diagnosed the worse the symptoms get. in many of the posts you will find they can not eat as the pain gets worse leading to them losing weight rapidly. I have my surgery consultation in 2 weeks, here are the questions I will be asking that may be relevant for you too:
1) What part of the celiac trunk has been compressed?
2) What is the mean systolic velocity of the celiac artery?
3) Have you as a surgeon dealt with celiac compression before.
4) If so what is your success rate? (how many patients are pain free?)
5) Will it be necessary to have an angioplasty or stent in the artery?
I am hoping your compression is minor and you don't need the angioplasty or stenting. If the answers to the questions are satisfactory then I wouldn't leave it too long to make your decision. The longer you leave it the worse you will get. I wish you all the best, please keep us informed.
Mark