Congenital absence of the superior mesenteric artery

Atresias of the intestinal tract are one of the causes of congenital intest inal obstruction. The superior mesenteric artery supplies the midgut from t he fourth portion of the duodenum to the midportion of the transverse colon . Absence of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) with subsequent absence o f jejunum, ileum, appendix, and right colon is a previously unreported cond ition. A fetal vascular accident might result in this intestinal catastroph e. J Pediatr Surg 34:1858-1860. Copyright (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company .