Abdominal Fascial Enlargement to Relieve Obstruction of the Duodenum Caused by Novacor Left Ventricular Assist System

One of the complications associated with use of implantable left ventricular assist systems for long-term support is compression or obstruction of abdominal viscera by the implanted device. This report concerns a patient with obstruction of the duodenum caused by an intra-abdominally placed Novacor left ventricular assist system. The compression of the duodenum was relieved by patch enlargement of the rectus sheath, which enabled the patient to return to a solid-food diet.