Colic Artery Research Articles

Tu1680 - Inferior Mesenteric Artery Sheath Preserving-Left Colic Artery Prserving D3 Lymphadenectomy for Rectal Cancer-Feasibility of the Technique from Pathological Point of View

Tu1680 - Inferior Mesenteric Artery Sheath Preserving-Left Colic Artery Prserving D3 Lymphadenectomy for Rectal Cancer-Feasibility of the Technique from Pathological Point of View

Analysis of the Vascular Interrelationships Among the First Jejunal Vein, the Superior Mesenteric Artery, and the Middle Colic Artery.

The technical difficulty of laparoscopic surgery for transverse colon cancer is partly due to the vascular variability around the middle colic vessels. Although individual variations in the arteries or veins in this area were previously investigated, the vascular interrelationships between these vessels remain unknown. This study was designed to investigate the vascular interrelationships between the arteries and veins around the middle colic vessels and to provide practically useful classifications. This study included 105 consecutive patients who underwent colorectal surgery for colorectal tumors in our institution in 2016. Patients with a history of colectomy were excluded. Vascular anatomical classifications were analyzed by evaluating thin-slice images of preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Vascular anatomical patterns were classified according to whether the first jejunal vein ran behind (type A) or in front (type B) of the superior mesenteric artery. Type B was subclassified into two subtypes, depending on whether the middle colic artery originated cephalad (type B1) or caudad (type B2) to the first jejunal vein. We identified 83 (79.0%) cases of type A, 11 (10.5%) of type B1, and 11 (10.5%) of type B2. In 17 cases, the middle colic vein drained into the inferior mesenteric vein, and all of these were type A (P = 0.0202). Furthermore, in eight cases, the middle colic vein drained into the first jejunal vein, and all of these were type B (P < 0.0001). This study elucidated the vascular interrelationships around the middle colic vessels. Our findings provided important knowledge for laparoscopic surgery in treating transverse colon cancer.

A case of a mesenteric desmoid tumor preoperatively distinguished from imaging findings

A 73-year-old woman was admitted for closer investigation into an abdominal tumor. Abdominal ultra-sonography, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging showed a discrete abdominal tumor. Especially on MRI, the tumor appeared as a relatively ill-defined whorled soft-tissue thickening within the mesenteric fat, causing angulation or speculation of adjacent bowel mesentery. Surgery was performed under a presumptive diagnosis of a mesojejunum desmoid. The tumor was invading the transverse mesocolon and mesojejunum as well as the third portion of the duodenum and the middle colic artery, and it was close to but apart from the superior mesenteric artery. The tumor was resected, including removal of part of the duodenum and transverse colon. The specimen contained a white solid tumor measuring 14×12×8cm. Pathologic examination showed differentiated fibroblasts and copious collagen fibers. The tumor was negative for CD34, c-kit, S-100, and α-SMA, but positive for β-catenin. On the basis of these findings, we established a diagnosis of mesenteric desmoid tumor of the small intestine. The patient has been followed postoperatively for 2 years, no sign of recurrence, to date.

Experiences of esophageal replacement with ileocolon graft: a series of 34 cases

Objective: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of esophageal replacement with ileocolon graft. Methods: Totally 34 cases of esophageal replacement with ileocolon graft from July 2015 to November 2017 at Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University were analyzed retrospectively, including 24 male and 10 female, aging from 7 to 72 years old. Esophageal replacement with ileocolon graft by right and/or middle colic artery as a blood supply using retrosternal route except one subcutaneous route. The primary esophageal disease, postoperative complication rate and quality of life were analyzed. Results: The overall postoperative complication rate was 23.5% (8/34), cervical anastomotic leakage rate of 5.9% (2/34), necrosis of colon graft of 5.9% (2/34). There were 3 patients experienced re-operation including 2 patients with colon graft necrosis and 1 patient with intestinal obstruction after ERC. One patient with colon graft necrosis died of septic shock after reoperation. Six cases of cervical esophago-jejunal anastomosis stenosis and 1 case of diarrhea occurred in the later time. All patients were followed up for a median time of 9 months (range: 1 to 28 months), 32 cases survived but 1 patient died until last follow-up by the end of December 2017. Conclusion: Esophageal replacement with ileocolon graft by right and/or middle colic artery as a blood supply using retrosternal route was safe and effective.

Surgical Anatomy of the Superior Mesenteric Vessels Related to Colon and Pancreatic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The surgeon dissecting the base of the mesenterium, around the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and artery, is facing a complex tridimensional vascular anatomy and should be aware of the anatomical variants in this area. The aim of this systematic review is to propose a standardized terminology of the superior mesenteric vessels, with impact in colon and pancreatic resections. We conducted a systematic search in PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases up to March 2017. Forty-five studies, involving a total of 6090 specimens were included in the present meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of the ileocolic, right colic and middle colic arteries was 99.8%, 60.1%, and 94.6%, respectively. The superior right colic vein and Henle trunk were present in 73.9%, and 89.7% of specimens, respectively. In conclusion, the infra-pancreatic anatomy of the superior mesenteric vessels is widely variable. We propose the term Henle trunk to be used for any venous confluence between gastric, pancreatic and colic veins, which drains between the inferior border of the pancreas and up to 20 mm downward on the right-anterior aspect of the SMV. The term gastrocolic trunk should not be synonymous, but a subgroup of the Henle trunk, together with to gastropancreatocolic, gastropancreatic, or colopancreatic trunk.

Preservation versus non-preservation of left colic artery in sigmoid and rectal cancer surgery: A meta-analysis

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis comparing the oncological, intraoperative and safety outcomes in sigmoid and rectal cancer surgery with and without preservation of the left colic artery (LCA). MethodWe searched Medline, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and PubMed databases for relevant articles published between 1962 and 2017. Randomized and non-randomized clinical trials were identified and included in the study. End-points evaluated included 5-year mortality, number of patients with retrieved positive metastatic lymph nodes (LN) at the root of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), number of retrieved LNs, morbidity, mortality, recurrence, bowel obstruction, intraoperative blood loss, anastomotic leakage, operation time, surgical site infection and postoperative bleed. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to analyze dichotomous data. ResultsSeventeen studies including 6247 patients were identified for the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that preserving the LCA was associated with reduced anastomotic leakage rate (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62–0.98; P = 0.03). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the 5-year mortality, number of retrieved LNs, number of patients with retrieved positive metastatic LNs at the root of IMA, morbidity, mortality, recurrence, bowel obstruction, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, surgical site infection and postoperative bleed. ConclusionIn comparison with ligating the left colic artery, preserving the left colic artery seems to achieve comparable success with acceptable safety outcomes and we suggest to preserve the LCA in the sigmoid and rectal cancer surgeries. However, more multicenter randomized controlled trials are required to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of preserving the left colic artery in surgeries.

Retromesenteric course of the middle colic artery-challenges and pitfalls in D3 right colectomy for cancer.

The middle colic artery (MCA) is of crucial importance in abdominal surgery, for laparoscopic or open right and transverse colectomies. Against this background, a high number of reports concerning anatomical variations of the MCA have been published intended to contribute to the improvement of operative techniques for the treatment of colon cancer. Despite this extensive literature, briefly reviewed in the present paper, a course of the MCA posterior to the superior mesenteric vein, called a retromesenteric trajectory, has been related to only once, to the best of our knowledge. A total series of 507 patients included in two prospective trials concerning laparoscopic or open right colectomy for cancer between 2011 and 2017 are reported. The investigation included preoperative or postoperative multidetector-computed tomography angiography. We found four (0.79%) cases of retromesenteric MCA. They all underwent meticulous image analysis with mesenteric vessels' road mapping, detailed morphometry, and surgical validation which revealed that, apart from their course, those cases did not differ significantly from the rest of the series. This paper therefore documents the worth-knowing behavior causing considerable confusion for the operating surgeon unaware of the abnormality and shows its concrete impact on patient-tailored surgical practice, in particular for laparoscopic D3 colectomy (including the "uncinated process first" approach).

Thrombectomy Devices in the Treatment of Acute Mesenteric Ischemia: Initial Single-Center Experience

To report our preliminary experience with endovascular revascularization of patients with acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI), using thrombectomy devices. It is a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to our hospital due to AMI and who were subjected to concomitant or exclusive endovascular treatment, from January 2011 to January 2016. Patients were admitted at the emergency department, underwent imaging investigation, and were referred to the endovascular specialist. Endovascular treatment was performed through left brachial artery access and selective catheterization and thrombectomy with a 6F Rotarex Debulking Device (Straub Medical, Wangs, Switzerland). Laparotomy was performed based on clinical and radiologic sings and at the discretion of the surgeon. Demographic, clinical/periprocedural, postoperative, complication, and adjunct intervention data were reviewed. Technical success was defined as recanalization of the Riolan's arcade on angiographic control. Twenty patients (mean age: 69.8±11.3years) underwent endovascular revascularization for AMI using thrombectomy devices, during the period of the study. Abdominal pain was the most common complain on admission (65%), with ileus (35%), sepsis (25%), and myocardial infarction as the main clinical referral presentation at admission. Fifteen patients (75%) had suggestive computer tomography (CT) signs of AMI on admission. Endovascular revascularization was successfully performed in all patients through the left brachial artery with a mean procedural time of 28±17min. Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was the main vessel involved in 75% on a solely basis. The majority of the SMA occlusions were in the periosteal (30%) and proximal to middle colic artery offspring (35%). Primary use of thrombectomy devices was performed in all patients, associated with balloon angioplasty (7/20; 50%), stent deployment (5/20; 25%), intraoperative selective thrombolysis (4/20; 20%) and catheter-assisted aspiration in 10% (2/20) of patients. Average time between admission and computed tomography angiography was 1.5±0.5hr, between admission and angiographic procedure was 2.5±1hr, and between admission and surgery was 9±5hr. Following recanalization, 14 patients (70%) underwent open surgery. Laparotomy with intestinal resection (enterectomy, colectomy) and transit deviation was the most common procedure. Complications directly related to the endovascular procedure occurred in 2 patients, represented by self-limited small perforations. Overall 30-day mortality was 40% (n=8). During the period of this study, no patient died as a result of complications related to the use of rotational thrombectomy. Endovascular treatment of the AMI with the use of thrombectomy devices proved to be technically feasible and reasonably fast procedure. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment remains the cornerstone of the treatment. Early surgical evaluation and close integration between surgical and endovascular specialists are crucial to faster treatment and consequently lower extensive surgical resections and mortality. Further studies are necessary on this field to confirm these findings.

Defining minimal clearances for adequate lymphatic resection relevant to right colectomy for cancer: a post-mortem study.

There has been a lengthy discussion on the extent of lymphatic resection for right-sided colon cancer and the central borders of the mesentery that are not yet defined. The objectives of this study are to define minimal clearances for adequate lymphatic resection in regard to colic artery origins and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and vein (SMV) relevant to right colectomy. Central mesenteric lymph vessels, nodes, and blood vessels were dissected in 16 cadavers. Cranial-caudal clearances were defined as distances between an individual colic artery origin (ileocolic, right colic, and median colic artery) and the outermost lymphatic vessel within its lymphovascular bundle, cranial and caudal along the SMA. Long lymphatic vessels crossing the SMV between arterial bundles were counted and they constituted the medial clearances. An arbitrary watershed between small bowel and colonic lymph was localized. Immunohistochemistry was performed to histologically verify lymphatic vessels. Cranial-caudal clearances were ileocolic 3.6 ± 1.9 and 5.7 ± 1.9; right colic 2.8 ± 1.6 and 3.3 ± 1.0; middle colic artery bundle 6.3 ± 2.7 and 5.9 ± 2.4mm, respectively. Long lymphatic vessels crossing the SMV between arterial buntles and approaching the SMA were found in all cadavers (antero/posteriorly in 12, only anteriorly in 4), median 3.5 (1-7) long lymphatic vessels anteriorly, and 1.5 (0-5) posteriorly per cadaver. Right colonic lymphovascular bundles are volumes of mesenteric tissue that surround the superior mesenteric vessels anteriorly and posteriorly. Long lymphatic vessels traverse the superior mesenteric vein anteriorly/posteriorly approaching the superior mesenteric artery between arterial bundles and placing the medial clearance on the left side of the artery. These do not correlate to arterial crossing patterns. Cranial-caudal clearances determine the tissue to be removed superior/inferior to arterial origins together with long lymphatic vessels transversing independently between the lymphovascular bundles placing the weight of lymphatic resection on the mesenteric tissue and not on the level of vessel division (High tie).

Anatomske variacije vej, ki izhajajo iz zgornje mezenterične arterije

Superior mesenteric artery, the second ventral branch of the abdominal aorta, supplies the distal duodenum, the small intestine, and the large intestine to the mid transverse colon. Superior mesenteric artery branches include the inferior anterior and inferior posterior pancreaticoduodenal arteries, middle colic artery, right colic artery, ileocolic artery, jejunal and ileal branches. The vascular anatomy of superior mesenteric branches is frequently variant. The explanation of variant vascular anatomy of branches and pathological consequences of diseases which impact the mesenteric vasculature might be due to the changes that appear in the development of ventral splanchnic arteries and their blood supply. Knowledge of mesenterical variations is valuable to radiologists and surgeons.

A Common Arterial Trunk Replacing Middle Colic and Right Colic Arteries: A Case Report and Surgical Significance

Open Access Research in Anatomy A Common Arterial Trunk Replacing Middle Colic and Right Colic Arteries: A Case Report and Surgical Significance Joseph Aziz* Faculty of Health and Social Development, Unitec Institute of Technology, New Zealand *Corresponding author:Joseph Aziz, Senior Lecturer of Anatomy & Physiology, Faculty of Health and Social Development, Te-Miro Trans-disciplinary Studies -Undergraduate Department, Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland , New Zealand Submission: December 04, 2017; Published: January 10, 2018 DOI: 10.31031/OARA.2018.01.000514 ISSN: 2577-1922 Volume1 Issue3

An Unconventional Origin of the Right Colic Artery: A Case Report

An Unconventional Origin of the Right Colic Artery: A Case Report

Selective approach for splenic flexure mobilization in total mesorectal excision followed by low colorectal anastomoses

To evaluate the results of selective approach for splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) after total mesorectal excision with low colorectal anastomoses. Clinical data were obtained from the multicenter RCT database comparing ileostomy and colostomy in patients with rectal cancer who underwent total mesorectal excision from 2012 to 2017. Our clinic policy is performing paraaortic lymph node dissection with 'low' inferior mesenteric artery ligation, left colic artery preservation and use of sigmoid colon for colorectal anastomosis. SFM was used only in cases of inability to apply above-mentioned procedure (selective approach for SFM). SFM was performed in 15 (13%) out of 115 patients. The most frequent reasons for SFM were sigmoid colon diverticulosis, impaired blood supply or inadequate length of sigmoid colon. There were no differences in intraoperative and postoperative complications between TME without SFM and TME with SFM. Selective SFM in TME followed by advanced paraaortic lymph node dissection and left colic artery preservation is safe and may be considered as a viable option to routine SFM in rectal cancer surgery.

Efficacy and Safety of Transanal Tube Drainage for Prevention of Anastomotic Leakage Following Laparoscopic Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancers

Introduction: Laparoscopic surgery is widely used for the treatment of colorectal cancer. But anastomotic leakage is one of the most serious complications following laparoscopic low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether transanal drainage tube placement can reduce anastomotic leakage and avoid re-operation after laparoscopic LAR. Methods: Retrospective assessment was performed on 143 patients with rectal cancers who underwent laparoscopic LAR between April 2009 and March 2016. A diverting stoma was not created in all 143 patients. A transanal drainage tube was placed after anastomosis using a double stapling technique, in 90 patients (group TT). In group TT, a 24 Fr. Silicon catheter was inserted into the anus and was placed approximately 20 - 25 cm in the descending colon. Another 53 patients were operated on without a transanal drainage tube (group NTT). Clinicopathological and operative variables, the frequencies of anastomotic leakage and re-operation after leakage were investigated. Results: Between the two groups (Group TT and NTT), age, gender, body mass index, tumor size, Dukes’ stage, the number of Liniar stapler firings for rectal transaction, and the rate of left colic artery preservation were comparable. Intra-operative blood loss and operation time decreased group TT from group NTT (p < 0.05). The frequency of leakage was 2.8% (2/69) in group TT and was 13.2% (7/53) in group NTT. The rate of leakage was significantly lower in group TT (p = 0.03). Furthermore, the re-operation rate for symptomatic anastomotic leakage was 0% (0/2) in group TT, while in contrast it was 28.5% (2/7) in group NTT. The rate of re-operation was lower in group TT than group NTT (p = 0.07) and all cases with symptomatic leakage in group TT were cured by conservative treatment. There was no side effect of transanal drainage tube (perforation or bleeding of the colon, or deviation of the tube) in Group TT. Conclusions: Transanal drainage tube placement prevents anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic LAR. We regard the transnanal drainage tube to be safe and effective without side effect.

Variant origin and course of the left colic artery: An embryological perspective

The Variations in branching pattern of abdominal arteries are common. These variations are usually due to the changes occurring during the development of vessels. Although the blood supply of the gut is segmental in nature and is genetically regulated, there are other factors determining the final fate of the course and origin of a blood vessel. In this case report the left colic artery was observed to arise anomalously from superior mesenteric artery; 4 cm distal to the origin of superior mesenteric artery from the abdominal aorta –a rare anomaly. The utmost care and proper attention is much needed while doing various diagnostic techniques, operative procedures and angiographic examinations of abdominal organs rather than merely the knowledge of all reported or unreported variations of the abdominal arteries. It should be kept in mind that variations in the abdominal blood vessels are a proof of concept of vascular development.

Early diagnosis and treatment of anastomotic leak after rectal cancer surgery

Anastomotic leakage is the most common major complication after mid-low rectal cancer surgery. Due to lack of knowledge regarding the virtual mechanisms of anastomotic leakage, not much can be done to prevent its development. The aim of the present review was to discuss the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery. For patients with risk factors, such as anastomotic site within 4 cm from anus, obese men, lack of blood supply of the anastomotic site, neoadjuvant chemo radiotherapy, or patients with severe co-morbidity, aggressive preventive strategy should be adopted. The effectiveness of diverting stoma, preoperative bowel preparation, and transanal decompression are still in debate. The combination of fluorescence imaging to assess anastomotic perfusion and selective preservation of the left colic artery can be used in the future to prevent anastomotic leakage intraoperatively. With increasing use of neoadjuvant chemo radiotherapy and diverting stoma, more than half of the leaks present in a more subtle and insidious manner, including ileus, diarrhea, anal discharge of pus, mild fever, accelerated heart rate, tachypnea, and oliguria. Surgeons should be more cautious regarding these insidious clinical presentations. Computed tomography scan and endoscopy are among the most important diagnostic workups that can early diagnose leakage and indicate the size of the defect and extent of infection. For patients presenting with diffuse peritonitis, emergency surgical exploration is mandatory along with fluid resuscitation. For those with limited infection, appropriate treatment plan should be made after consideration of the extent of infection, methods to eradicate the infectious source, strategies following adjuvant therapy, and the possibility and necessity of re-establishing bowel continuity.

Variations in the branching pattern of the celiac trunk and its clinical significance.

Celiac trunk is the artery of foregut, arising from the abdominal aorta at the level of T12/L1 vertebral body. It extends approximately 1.5 to 2 cm horizontally forwards before dividing into three branches: left gastric, common hepatic, and splenic arteries. Out of the three ventral branches of abdominal aorta, celiac trunk is more prone to have variations. During routine dissection of abdomen for undergraduate students we found some rare variations in the branching pattern of the celiac trunk. Absence of celiac trunk with hepatomesenteric trunk, quadrifurcation with dorsal pancreatic artery arising from it, quadrifurcation with middle colic artery arising from it, left inferior phrenic artery arising from celiac trunk, highly tortuous splenic artery supplying distal 1/3rd of transverse colon and hepatosplenic trunk. Knowledge of such variations is essential for liver and pancreas transplantations, pancreaticoduodenectomy, radiological abdominal interventions, laproscopic surgeries, and in trauma of the abdomen.

Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in the treatment of colitis and ischemia and reperfusion in rats: New insights.

AIMTo provide new insights in treatment of colitis and ischemia and reperfusion in rats using stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157.METHODSMedication [BPC 157, L-NAME, L-arginine (alone/combined), saline] was bath at the blood deprived colon segment. During reperfusion, medication was BPC 157 or saline. We recorded (USB microscope camera) vessel presentation through next 15 min of ischemic colitis (IC-rats) or reperfusion (removed ligations) (IC + RL-rats); oxidative stress as MDA (increased (IC- and IC + RL-rats)) and NO levels (decreased (IC-rats); increased (IC + RL-rats)) in colon tissue. IC + OB-rats [IC-rats had additional colon obstruction (OB)] for 3 d (IC + OB-rats), then received BPC 157 bath.RESULTSCommonly, in colon segment (25 mm, 2 ligations on left colic artery and vein, 3 arcade vessels within ligated segment), in IC-, IC + RL-, IC + OB-rats, BPC 157 (10 μg/kg) bath (1 mL/rat) increased vessel presentation, inside/outside arcade interconnections quickly reappeared, mucosal folds were preserved and the pale areas were small and markedly reduced. BPC 157 counteracted worsening effects induced by L-NAME (5 mg) and L-arginine (100 mg). MDA- and NO-levels were normal in BPC 157 treated IC-rats and IC + RL-rats. In addition, on day 10, BPC 157-treated IC + OB-rats presented almost completely spared mucosa with very small pale areas and no gross mucosal defects; the treated colon segment was of normal diameter, and only small adhesions were present.CONCLUSIONBPC 157 is a fundamental treatment that quickly restores blood supply to the ischemically injured area and rapidly activates collaterals. This effect involves the NO system.

Evaluation of three-dimensional CT reconstruction on the anatomic variation of inferior mesenteric artery and left colic artery

To demonstrate the clinical applicability of three-dimensional CT angiography by evaluating the anatomic features and variation of inferior mesenteric artery(IMA) and left colic artery(LCA) in order to provide reference to vessel ligation strategy in laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery. Clinical and image data of 123 patients receiving abdominal multislice CT at The Sixth Affiliated Hospital from 2014 to 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The images were 3D-reconstructed with computer 3D CT angiography and arterial enhancement phase images were chosen for analysis. Linear distances from IMA root to abdominal aortic bifurcation and from LCA at IMA root level to IMA root were measured. Branch types of IMA, coursing pattern of LCA, and association between LCA and inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) site were summarized. Of 123 cases, 80 were males and 43 were females, mean age was (46.8±16.6) years, body weight was (57.7±10.4) kg, and BMI was (21.3±3.6) kg/m2. The average distance from IMA root to abdominal aortic bifurcation was (42.5±7.9) mm, and this distance was closely associated with body weight (OR=4.771, 95%CI: 1.398 to 16.283, P=0.013). Longer distance tended to appear in the heavier patients. LCA and sigmoid artery (SA) originating from same single IMA was found in 61(49.6%) cases; LCA and SA forking at same point in 35(28.5%) cases; LCA and SA coursing together and forking afterwards in 24(19.5%) cases, and LCA disappearing in 3(2.4%) cases. In 71(57.7%) patients, LCA ascended medial to the lateral border of left kidney, while in 16(13.0%) patients, LCA arranged below the inferior border of left kidney. When the LCA site was higher and the distance from LCA to IMA root was closer [distance from LCA to IMA root level was (24.2±9.9) mm, (30.0±15.2) mm and (66.6±12.3) mm, F=83.2, P<0.001]. At the level of IMA root, LCA located medial to IMV in 21(17.1%) cases, located just lateral to IMV in 54(43.9%) cases, and located lateral and ascended far away from IMV in 48(39.0%) cases. 3D-CT angiography is non-invasive, efficient and accurate in evaluating coursing features and variation of IMA and its branches, which can provide important reference to the surgeons, promising laparoscopic surgery smooth and safe.

The long-term survival benefits of high and low ligation of inferior mesenteric artery in colorectal cancer surgery: A review and meta-analysis.

Background:The decision of ligation at the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) or below the origin of the left colic artery (LCA) has remained a dilemma for surgeons in colorectal cancer surgery. The available studies are controversial. The objective of this meta-analysis is to compare the predictive significance of high versus low ligation in colorectal cancer surgery.Methods:A literature search done using Medline, EMBASE, GoogleScholar, and references. A meta-analysis was performed to analyze the 5-year overall survival (OS) of the high and low ligation using hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We further analyzed 2 subgroups considering the level of lymph nodes (LNs) extension. That is IMA positive (+ve) and negative (−ve) LNs. Survival differences were analyzed.Results:A total of 3119 patients in 5 cohorts were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled HR results showed significant OS benefit of high ligation than low ligation (HR; 0.77, 95% CI: 0.66–0.89) in the “IMA +ve” group with 33% decreased risk, while there is no statistical significance in the “IMA −ve” (HR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.30–1.46) and the “all cases” group (HR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.41–1.15).Conclusion:The pooled data showed high ligation of IMA has a better survival benefit for the patients with IMA positive LNs. It signifies high ligation should be recommended for the advanced cases or with the suspected high risk of IMA lymphatic metastasis. The limited number of articles demands future high-powered, well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the further reliable conclusion.