ObjectiveTo explore the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) complicated with Wernicke encephalopathy (WE). MethodsThe clinical data of 11 cases of SMAS patients complicated with WE were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsOf 9 SMAS patients complicated with WE, 8 patients were gradually awake and the time of consciousness recovery was from 7 d to 9 weeks (mean 5.2 weeks). Another 1 patient died of multiple organ failure attributed to severe condition. The symptoms of ophthalmopegia and ataxia in the rest 2 patients improved. All of symptoms such as ataxia, nystagmus, tinnitus, nausea, and sweating gradually disappeared. The nystagmus disappeared from 3 h to 4 d (mean 2.3 d) in five patients and the ataxia disappeared from 3 d to 12 weeks (mean 7.0 weeks) in 4 patients. The tinnitus, nausea, and sweating in 6 patients disappeared within 1 week. ConclusionImproving the understanding of SMAS complicated with WE is important during clinical practice and early diagnosis and intervention is the key point for a good prognosis.