Journal of vascular surgery
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Celiac artery compression syndrome (CACS) remains a controversial diagnosis, despite several reported series documenting therapeutic efficacy of CA decompression. Traditional therapy consists of open surgical decompression, but since 2000, five isolated case reports have been published in which CACS has been successfully treated with laparoscopic techniques. This approach was adopted as the sole initial therapy for CACS at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in 2002. This article reports the results of a unique surgical series that triples the reported worldwide experience with this therapy. ⋯ Laparoscopic decompression of the CA may be a useful therapy for CACS, but there is potential for vascular injury, and adjunctive CA intervention is often required. Surgeons should consider laparoscopic CA decompression as a therapeutic alternative for CACS and should participate in the care of patients with this diagnosis.