Extrapleural Pneumonectomy Complicated by Acute Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome

• Published in: The Annals of thoracic surgery Vol. 94; no. 1; pp. 291 - 293
• Main Authors: DuBray, Bernard J., MD, Gnerlich, Jennifer L., MD, Doyle, Maria B. Majella, MD, Patterson, G. Alexander, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.07.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adult; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiothoracic Surgery; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Female; Humans; Medical sciences; Pneumology; Pneumonectomy - adverse effects; Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome - etiology; Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome - therapy; Surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; 11; Acute; Superior mesenteric artery syndrome; Cardiovascular disease; Arteritis; Arterial disease; Vascular disease; Extrapleural; Treatment; Superior mesenteric artery; Surgery; Anesthesia; Complication; Circulatory system; Cardiology; Pneumectomy
• ISSN: 0003-4975; 1552-6259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2011.12.023

We present a patient who developed an acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome following pneumonectomy. Although rarely described, a majority of cases develop insidiously from a gradual loss of retroperitoneal fat in the setting of malnourishment. A postoperative presentation is atypical, however procedures that narrow the aortomesenteric angle have been associated with the development of SMA syndrome. This case illustrates an important anatomic relationship that thoracic surgeons performing lung resection surgery should be aware of in order to avoid predisposing patients to SMA syndrome.