Leveraging Aberrant Vasculature in Celiac Artery Stenosis: The Arc of Buhler in Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Background

Celiac artery stenosis and occlusion (CAS) are described infrequently in pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), despite being a relatively common variant (2–7.6%). ¹ The largest American series of patients undergoing PD for periampullary cancer reports rates of 4%. ² Identification preoperatively requires consideration of vascular intervention or alternative approaches, since PD involves ligation of vessels connecting the celiac and superior mesenteric axes. Arterial reconstruction or bypass, however, increases the PD complications significantly; in one institution it was responsible for one-third of perioperative deaths. ³

An aberrant arterial arc between the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries (SMAs), identified in 1904 by Buhler, can provide collateral flow to the celiac axis in CAS. Case reports have further named it a potential arterial supply to the foregut once the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) has been ligated during PD.^4–6

Presentation

A 69-year-old man with chronic pancreatitis, presenting with epigastric pain and jaundice, was found to have biliary obstruction. CT demonstrated pancreatic head mass with abutment/impingement of the superior mesenteric and portal veins, but no evidence of distant metastases. Endoscopic ultrasound locally staged it as T3N0, and fine needle aspiration biopsy found it to be adenocarcinoma. CT also noted short-segment celiac occlusion. Given the borderline resectability, the patient underwent preoperative chemoradiation. During unsuccessful attempt at endovascular stenting of the celiac artery, the GDA was found to be the main supply of the hepatic artery and the rest of the celiac axis. The origin of the SMA was also stenotic. A plan was made for intraoperative stent or arterial bypass.

Intraoperatively, the celiac artery was unable to be stented retrograde, so the decision was made to perform bypass after tumor resection. The entire dissection was completed before GDA ligation. After GDA ligation, however, persistent hepatic arterial Doppler signal was appreciated, originating from a presumed SMA collateral vessel on completion of angiography (Fig. 1). No further intervention was performed, and the procedure was completed without signs of ischemia or loss of flow.

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FIG. 1.

Intraoperative aortogram demonstrating retrograde perfusion of celiac axis from superior mesenteric artery through Arc of Buhler (arrowheads). The gastroduodenal artery was ligated before imaging (clips), increasing flow from the proximal SMA to the celiac artery through the arc. SMA, superior mesenteric artery.

He was discharged to home on postoperative day 7 after a course notable only for a transient transaminitis of 1324/1145U/L (aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase) on the first day. These elevated liver enzymes resolved in 2 days and have not recurred, so no further imaging of the hepatic vessels has been made. Another complication was Klebsiella bacteremia of uncertain etiology but without signs of abscess, which resolved with brief hospitalization and antibiotics. Diagnosed with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm on final pathology, he remains without evidence of disease 1 year later.

Reanalysis of the preoperative angiography identified the collateral vessel as an Arc of Buhler (Fig. 2). However, due to the concomitant occlusion of the celiac axis and stenosis of the SMA, the arc also filled retrograde through the GDA. Division of the GDA intraoperatively had allowed for antegrade flow through the arc from SMA to celiac trunk.

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FIG. 2.

Arterial schematic showing the arc in one of its positions connecting the celiac trunk to the SMA.

Conclusions

Preoperative identification of CAS in PD is of utmost importance to prevent unexpected foregut ischemia. ⁴ Routine angiography was once advocated, but many authors only perform one now if prompted by CAS on CT imaging. The latter imaging is recommended routinely. ² Intraoperatively, test clamping the GDA before ligation is also recommended to evaluate hepatic arterial flow.^2,3

To avoid the documented ischemia after GDA ligation in this setting,^1,2,5 CAS identification pre- or intraoperatively can avoid complications through bypass, reimplantation, stent, GDA preservation, or median arcuate ligament release.^2,3 Preoperative imaging is, therefore, vital to plan appropriate intervention and resection strategy. In cases of aberrant arterial anatomy, such as this one, preoperative identification of potential collateral flow to the liver can help preserve these vessels and avoid the need for costly reconstruction, multiple interventions, and/or surgical delay.