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Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)
I am looking for other patients that have been diagnosed with Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome. Although it is caused by compression of the celiac artery many people experience abdominal pain after eating, diarrhea, food avoidance. Usually the first doctors they see are GI doctors. It is a diagnosis that is made after everything else is ruled out. I am curious if anyone else has had surgery?
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You really need to get a second opinion because it isn’t just about Separating the nerves. Dr. Hsu just something very specific that I’ve heard of no other doctor doing that make sure that nerve pain does not come back because nerves can grow back and if it’s not done properly you will end up back in the same boat. This is a major surgery and I would not have anyone cut on me until I had had more than one opinion
I would ask your surgeon how many they have done via robotics and their success rate. I wish I was more familiar with that procedure in MALS.
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1 ReactionExactly. I have been diagnosed with gastroparesis, had to have my gallbladder removed, and I also had sphincter of Odii surgery. I also ended up with small bowel AVMs that had to be cauterized that was causing my anemia and now they’re checking for celiac disease as well in addition I also have reactive chemical gastrophy and severe chronic gastritis.
The problem is that there really isn't a lot of surgeons who do this so it's hard to get a second opinion....;) But my Gi recomended this doc, and he is the only one in Cincinnati Childrens who performs this surgery.. According to him, he performs this surgery about once every 3-4 months, and 80% of patients are totally "cured". He said that he used to just do laproscopic but started robotic a few years ago and hasn't gone back since its easier and safer to do because he can get into tighter spaces...
@chicken, unfortunately there are different theories on the cause of symptoms and more research needs to be done. You are correct it is the ganglion nerves. If your surgeon is familiar with this technique and has a good success rate that is first hurdle. There are many sucess stories that we in MALS Pals and here never hear about, so keep that in mind when you are reading through patient experiences.
What i really want to know is, will I actually be totally better after the surgery, or will symptoms return after a few months?
Thank you!! I don't really think there is a reason not to do the surgery, because there really isnt anything else to do and I don't want to live like this forever... No one here has gotten the laproscopic robotic surgery?
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1 ReactionEach person is different, there have been many success stories. I believe starting with a less invasive approach is always good if your surgeon is familiar with MALS. The recovery can be long and very gradual no matter what approach is taken. Also of you have any other diagnosis, how long you have had the stenosis, the degree of stenosis... there are many factors that contribute to the success rate. I have never regretted my surgeries, each improved my quality of life. I hope this helps some.
I know there is others who have had lap robotic surgery and it was successful :). I am just not familiar with it personally.
I had robotic laparoscopic surgery on October 3, 2018. I am almost 60 in good health and no other diagnosis. So far so good. Don’t let laparoscopic fool you. I traded one long incision for 6 small ones. It is a major surgery. I would plan on a 5 to 6 week recovery. Could be shorter or longer.