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Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)
Digestive Health | Last Active: 5 hours ago | Replies (1229)Comment receiving replies
@bfort
I had MALS surgery 1/2015. The ligament was cut as well as many of the nerves in celiac plexus.
6 months later the symptoms returned and I had first stent placed. They said the celiac artery was still very compressed due to the ligament pressure. I was followed annually for a while. The artery with stent was still deformed, but blood flow was good- until recently. Before another procedure a week ago I was more miserable than ever for a few months and lost weight due to not eating much. A new stent was placed. I’m still waiting to hear details next week.
Slowly I’m having less and less symptoms and can eat more now.
The surgeon didn’t guarantee a good outcome- just like they did not do at my first surgery. I never hesitated going ahead- there was minimal quality of life.
An open revascularization is another option mentioned that might be necessary.
I would do that too if this doesn’t work.
These decisions are difficult to make, especially if someone has other serious medical problems.
I’m 78 and I have other health conditions that might worsen and might make me a worse surgical candidate.
Replies to "@bfort I had MALS surgery 1/2015. The ligament was cut as well as many of the..."
Ingegerd, your posts are so encouraging to me. I found this blog when I was diagnosed in 2018. You have been through a lot and yet your determination is inspiring. I am glad you are still posting. I recovered after robotic lapriscopic surgery and have not been on the blog much. Recently I am having some gastro problems. I am not thinking MALS yet. I’m wonder if you have had the same doctor all this time? If I have to go down that road again, I believe I will need to find a new doctor, and the thought of that os overwhelming.
Thanks for responding. I love your positive attitude.
I'll keep you in my prayers for continued success and feeling be better each day.
I'm submitting all my tests to Dr Hsu for further evaluation.
Then I'll decide about the stent surgery. 🙏🙏
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Was your mals surgery open? The ligament needs to be cut all the way back to the spine or it will grow back. I haven’t heard of any successes with stents but that doesn’t mean they don’t work long term. I had a successful mals surgery in Jan. 2020, but am looking at pots and Nutcracker as I have all the pain (except excruciating knife stabbing pain -mals) I had with mals. My epigastric area starts squeezing the minute I move and only gets tighter throughout the day. Vascular compressions are so hard bc it seems they all present differently (somewhat) in different people. I hope you can find answers.