An Alternative Technique in the Treatment of Celiac Axis Stenosis Diagnosed During Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Celiac compression is usually a benign condition, but when surgery necessitates division of collaterals from the superior mesenteric artery, it may cause life-threatening celiac organ ischemia. Celiac axis obstruction is found in 12.5% to 49.7% of patients during abdominal angiography. In such patients, the arterial blood supply to the stomach, spleen, and liver is sustained through extraordinarily well-developed pathways in the pancreas. Though collateral pathways may be sacrificed during pancreaticoduodenectomy, only a small proportion of patients develop hepatic, gastric and splenic ischemia during the procedure. If the appropriate angiographic studies have not been obtained before pancreatic resection, a test occlusion of the gastroduodenal artery, as recommended by Bull et al., should precede its ligation. The hepatic arteries are palpated before and after the test occlusion. In the occasional patient in whom the pulse diminishes during occlusion or if there is evidence of upper abdominal visceral ischemia, revascularization of the celiac circulation may be required. Reestablishment of the celiac circulation may be accomplished by the use of a vein graft between the aorta and the celiac tributaries. This article describes an alternative technique for revascularization of the celiac circulation without the use of a venous graft.