Jejunal arterial access for retrograde mesenteric stenting

Endovascular approaches have replaced open surgical revascularization in most patients with mesenteric ischemia; however, flush ostial occlusions may not be amenable to traditional antegrade access. Retrograde mesenteric stenting has been previously described, but this technique requires a formal laparotomy and dissection of the proximal superior mesenteric artery. We present here a modification of this technique that requires only a “mini-laparotomy” and no open vascular repair of the superior mesenteric artery as well as a review of our initial institutional experience with this procedure. Our approach differs from previously described work by minimizing mesenteric dissection, avoiding the need for repair of an arteriotomy, and limiting the size of the laparotomy incision in this population of profoundly comorbid patients.