Minimally invasive duodenojejunostomy for superior mesenteric artery syndrome: a case series and review of the literature

A series of 14 patients with SMAS underwent minimally invasive duodenojejunostomy. All of these patients met clinical criteria of SMAS with radiological confirmation. Average weight loss before surgery was 10.7 kg. Depression and eating disorders were comorbid in 6/14 patients. The mean age was 39 years (19–91 years). Twelve operations were completed laparoscopically and two were performed with robotic assistance. Mean operation duration was 119 min and average length of hospital stay was 5.5 days. There were no immediate postoperative complications. One patient developed a delayed anastomotic stricture that improved with single endoscopic balloon dilation. Initial symptom improvement occurred in all patients and the improvement occurred in 11 patients (79 %) during the follow-up. At a mean follow-up of 20 months, two patients experienced complications, including one infection at a simultaneously placed J-tube site and one patient with dumping syndrome. Mean weight gain was 3.8 kg (p < 0.01).