Laparoscopic Resection of Osler-Weber-Rendu Lesion

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Osler-Weber-Rendu is a hereditary disease characterized by telangiectasias, arteriovenous malformations, and aneurysms involving the cutaneous, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and central nervous systems. This report describes a combinatorial approach using laparoscopic and intraoperative endoscopy to perform a partial gastric resection of bleeding arteriovenous malformations. METHODS: A 70-year-old female with a history of bleeding from Osler-Weber-Rendu disease presented to the emergency department complaining of hematemesis. Her vital signs were unstable, and she was immediately resuscitated with intravenous fluids and transfusions. A combined laparoscopic and intraoperative endoscopic approach to a partial gastric resection was planned. Intraoperatively, a single lesion was identified along the posterior aspect of the greater curvature of the stomach by using endoscopy. The blood supply was taken down with a Ligasure and gastric resection with a 60-mm Echelon stapler. RESULTS: The pathology report confirmed the complete resection of the arteriovenous malformations. The patient recovered well and was discharged home several days later without any pain complaints. CONCLUSIONS: Little has been written about the medical treatment of Osler-Weber-Rendu arteriovenous malformations, let alone surgical treatment. A combinatorial laparoscopic and intraoperative endoscopic approach to gastric resection allows both minimization of the gastric resection and the complete identification and removal of the arteriovenous malformations.