Revascularization of the Celiac and Superior Mesenteric Arteries

Abstract

Numerically significant clinical experience relative to the surgical treatment of arterial occlusive disease of the gastrointestinal tract has not been published. Attempted revascularization of the celiac and mesenteric arteries has been documented only by isolated case reports, and in these most of the operative procedures were performed under emergency situations for acute mesenteric thrombosis.^6,11-15 Even rough appraisal as to incidence of celiac and superior mesenteric arterial occlusive disease is difficult because until recently 2 essential factors for this have been lacking—namely, general awareness of the problem and application of techniques for confirming the diagnosis. Although the abdominal angina syndrome will probably never rival the clinical importance of such occlusive arterial lesions as those affecting the brain, heart, and legs, it most certainly will prove to be far more significant than presently considered. One reason ischemic problems of digestive organs may remain less than common is that in most instances