Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS)

My daughter, age 37, has had these surgeries...whipple, gaul bladder removal, one kidney removed, head of pancrease removed as a result of a auto acident in 1987.
She has begun experiencing constant pain and also attack pain in the last year, where the attacks last from 5 to 30 minutes.  She has a duadenal ulcer which has been treated with Nexium for 3 months. It has been sugested by some Doctors that the 'SMAS' may be in play..the colapsing of the duodenum by the Superior Mesenteric Artery....which may be  caused by stooping or bending down.  There is a proposed sugerical cure....'lapraroscopic severing of the ligament of Treitz'.....

Could you please identify GI Doctors in the Denver, Colorado area who are experienced and knowledgeable(experts) about the 'Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome' and experts in major medical centers accross the United States regarding this syndrome.  

Look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,

J. Alan Owen

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There is limited experience with the surgical approach to treat SMA  syndrome.  One of the largest studies only involved 16 patients, where surgery did not necessarily treat the symptoms.  The diagnosis of SMA syndrome needs to be clear before considering surgery, and also evidence of conservative therapy failing.  

That study can be found here:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=2760427

If this is the case, then I would suggest going to a major academic medical center (i.e. affiliated with a large university), and consider another opinion before undergoing surgery.  

I am based in the Northeast, and thus, do not know any specific expert names in this disease.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[jmo88007]

My daughter was diagnosed with Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome two years ago, and from what I understand, the number of doctors who deal with this syndrome are very limited.  We flew my daughter to Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas and dealt with a doctor by the name of Richard McCallum.  He is extremely knowledgeable with this syndrome as well as everything else gastro related.  My daughter had to have surgery, but she is doing much better now.  I would definitely recommend trying to see him, to see if what your daughter has is, indeed, SMA.  If you need to contact me for further information, please feel free to do so thru -  ***@****.  I would be more than happy to help out with this in any way that I can.  I can also fill you in on any other info I have regarding this syndrome, as I'm a nursing student and have done quite a bit of research on it.  Take care and good luck.

Janet

[nicolemoore5]

A related discussion, sma syndrome was started.