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Superior Mesenteric Artery Treatment

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a rare, but life-threatening, disease. It occurs when a portion of the small intestine becomes compressed by the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. The goal of treatment is to provide proper nutrition, replace fluids and restore intestinal function.

  1. Acute versus Chronic

    • The treatment for superior mesenteric artery syndrome depends greatly on whether it is an acute or chronic condition. Is it new and easily treated, or do you have continual flare-ups with increasingly worse symptoms?

    IV Fluids

    • Intravenous fluids will almost always be provided, regardless of the severity, to replace fluids and electrolytes without further aggravating your digestive system.

    Nutrition

    • Eating or drinking will only worsen superior mesenteric artery syndrome so a nasogastric tube may need to be inserted to bypass the obstruction and provide liquid nutrition to your body.

    Medications

    • A drug called metoclopramide or Reglan may be used to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, encourage digestion and decrease or prevent nausea.

    Surgery

    • In severe or chronic cases of superior mesenteric artery syndrome, surgery may be the only option. In this procedure, a portion of the small intestine will need to be cut to bypass the obstruction and then rejoined to another section of the intestine.

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