The celiac compression syndrome: myth or reality?

Fifteen patients were operated on for compression of the celiac artery with division of the median arcuate ligament. Initially most patients were released from their preoperative abdominal pain. At follow-up after 1 1/2-9 1/2 years only two patients were asymptomatic. Our results corroborate the nonentity of the celiac compression syndrome. The existence and identification of a subgroup of patients with symptomatic compression of the celiac artery is discussed.