Tft. Khan et al., Pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery with an arteriovenous fistula after simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation, CLIN TRANSP, 13(3), 1999, pp. 277-279
Vascular complications remain a significant source of morbidity after pancr
eatic transplantation. We describe a pseudoaneurysm of the superior mesente
ric artery (SMA) with an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) involving the SMA and
the superior mesenteric Vein (SMV) discovered and treated surgically in the
second week after kidney-pancreas transplantation. The patient experienced
pain over the graft, and subsequent radionuclide and Doppler ultrasound sc
an were suggestive of a pseudoaneurysm in the head of the pancreas. Awaitin
g confirmatory angiography, the patient became hypotensive and after resusc
itation, underwent emergency surgery when a pseudoaneurysm was found in the
head of the pancreas. After looping the proximal and distal recipient ilia
c artery and base of the donor Y vascular graft, the AVF was separated and
ligated. The SMV was dissected off the pancreatic head and repaired over a
tamponading intraluminal Foley catheter. Graft function was preserved. Base
d on this experience, an AVF with or without a pseudoaneurysm in the pancre
as allograft should be corrected as soon it is suspected.