Prolonged gastroparesis after corrective surgery for Wilkie's syndrome: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: Wilkie's syndrome, a rare cause of intestinal obstruction, is related to anatomical and mechanical factors associated with the reduction of retroperitoneal fat padding. The diagnostic challenges of identifying vascular constriction between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery have been answered by advances in the field of computed tomography. Despite diagnostic confusion with intestinal dysmotility syndrome, conservative therapy with nutritional supplementation is the initial approach and duodenojejunostomy is favoured if non-surgical treatment fails. Case presentation: We presenta case of a 49-year-old woman with Wilkie's syndrome with persistent symptoms of gastroparesis for 15 months following corrective surgery. Conclusion: Open and laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy have been described as the best surgical treatment options for Wilkie's syndrome, but further work needs to be done for patients with refractory symptoms of gastroparesis after these corrective surgeries. © 2008 Aslam and Finch; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.