DUODENAL OBSTRUCTION DUE TO COMPRESSION BY SUPERIOR MESENTERIC ROOT

The causes and symptoms of duodenal obstruction by compression at the superior mesenteric root are illustrated by four case histories. In two the symptoms were completely relieved by side-to-side duodenojejunostomy. In the other two, it was found that barium readily passed the site of obstruction when the patient was in the prone position, so that medical management sufficed; it consisted in complete bed rest, elevation of the foot of the bed, assumption of the knee-chest position after meals, and the wearing of a well-fitting abdominal support.