Vessel identification and dissection are the key processes of laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision (CME). Vascular injury will lead to complications such as prolonged operative time, intraoperative hemorrhage and ischemia of anastomotic stoma. Superior mesenteric artery (SMA), superior mesenteric vein(SMV), gastrointestinal trunk, left colic artery(LCA), sigmoid artery and marginal vessels in the mesentery have been found with possibility of heteromorphosis, which requires better operative techniques. Surgeons should recognize those vessel heteromorphosis carefully during operations and adjust strategies to avoid intraoperative hemorrhage. Preoperative abdominal computed tomography angiography(CTA) with three-dimensional reconstruction can find vessel heteromorphosis within surgical area before operation. Adequate dissection of veins instead of violent separation will decrease intraoperative bleeding and be helpful for dealing with the potential hemorrhage. When intraoperative hemorrhage occurs, surgeons need to control the bleeding by simple compression or vascular clips depending on the different situations. When the bleeding can not be stopped by laparoscopic operation, surgeons should turn to open surgery without hesitation.
Colonic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Dissection ; Hemorrhage ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; Mesenteric Veins ; Mesocolon ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of different ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery in sigmoid colon or rectal cancer surgery on 5-year overall survival rate and operative mortality.

METHODSThe results of several literatures from different countries on high or low ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery and prognosis were analyzed using meta-analysis.

RESULTSSeven studies were included. The 5-year overall survival rate was compared between low and high ligation. The odd ratio (OR) for 5-year survival was 0.87 (95% CI=0.76-0.98, P=0.02), and the OR for perioperative mortality was 1.28 (95% CI=0.94-1.75, P=0.19).

CONCLUSIONSHigh ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery may improve 5-year overall survival rate. Perioperative mortality may not be influenced by the level of ligation.

Humans ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Sigmoid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery

Controversy remains on how to manage left colic artery (LCA) when it comes to laparoscopic proctectomy. With regard to the level of detachment, a high tie of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is meant as a ligation at the origin of aorta, while the low tie is the ligation of IMA below the initiation part of left colic artery which is left. Several key points of LCA preservation, including clinical value, oncologic safety and the difficulty of operation, have always been debated. Some scholars hold the point of view that the preservation of LCA will hamper the lymph nodes dissection around the inferior mesenteric artery, resulting in incorrect pathological staging and dismal outcome. Of note, low tie prolongs the duration of operation and increases the anastomotic tension. However, increasing research results have established its clinical values. The value for reducing the risk of anastomotic leakage and the effect on the lymph nodes dissection at the root of inferior mesenteric artery will be discussed based on previous studies and our clinical practice. We came up with a novel concept of "the lymph nodes in the triangular domain of inferior mesenteric artery which consists of abdominal aorta, inferior mesenteric vein(IMV)/LCA and IMA" instead of traditional No.235 lymph nodes. In our innovative approach of total mesorectal excision guided by vessel, a crack was made at the root of aorta and the dissection was performed along IMA, reaching the origin of LCA. The lymph nodes will be harvested as a whole. After achieving process standardization, vessel-oriented approach and left colic artery preservation makes this region susceptible to lymphadenectomy, protecting submesenteric plexus and guarantying the oncological safety without increasing operative difficulty.
Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Ligation ; Lymph Node Excision ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; surgery ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery

Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum (JSCCR) guideline 2019 recommended that lymph node dissection for advanced rectal cancer should include the lymphatic adipose tissue at the root of the inferior mesenteric vessels, but the ligation site of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) was not determined, and the NCCN guideline did not indicate clearly whether to retain the left colonic artery (LCA). Controversy over whether to retain LCA is no more than whether it can reduce the incidence of anastomotic complications or postoperative functional damage without affecting the patients' oncological outcome. Focusing on the above problems, this paper reviews the latest research progress. In conclusion, it is believed that the advantages of retaining LCA are supported by most studies, which can improve the blood supply of the proximal anastomosis, and technically can achieve the same range of lymph node dissection as IMA high ligation. However, whether it affects the survival of patients, reduces the incidence of anastomotic leakage, and improves the quality of life of patients, more high-quality evidence-based medical evidence is still needed.
Arteries ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior/surgery* ; Quality of Life ; Rectal Neoplasms/surgery*

The preservation of left colonic artery (LCA) has been accepted by more and more surgeons in the radical resection of rectal cancer, but whether it can reduce anastomotic complications and affect the oncology efficacy remains controversial. This consensus elaborates the significance, anatomical structure, key points of operation techniques, indications and contraindications, and surgical approaches of LCA preservation. Each statement and recommendation was recognized by most experts in the field of colorectal surgery. The purpose of this consensus is to improve the cognitive level of Chinese colorectal surgeons on LCA preservation, so as to standardize the surgical strategies and methods of LCA preservation and furthermore practice, and promote it. The pending issues in this consensus need further high-quality clinical studies.
Anastomotic Leak ; Arteries ; China ; Consensus ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; Rectal Neoplasms/surgery*

The concept of total mesorectal resection provides a quality control standard that can be followed for radical resection of rectal cancer, but some anatomical problems are still controversial. Compared with traditional open surgery, laparoscopic radical rectal surgery has better surgical vision, better neurological protection, better operating space. However, if the surgeon has insufficient understanding of the anatomy, collateral damage may occur, such as uncontrollable bleeding during the operation, postoperative urination and defecation dysfunction and so on. Based on the interpretation of the researches at home and abroad, combined with the clinical experience, we elucidate some associated issues, including anatomic variation of inferior mesenteric vessels, the controversy of inferior mesenteric artery ligation plane, the controversy of lymph node dissection in No. 253, the anatomical variation of middle rectal artery, and the anatomical controversy of lateral lymph node dissection in rectal cancer, in order to provide better cognitive process for the clinical front-line surgeons.
Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; Rectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Rectum

Splenic flexure colon cancer occurs at a relatively lower rate than colon cancer of other sites. It is also associated with more advanced disease and higher rate of acute obstruction. The splenic flexure receives blood supply from both superior and inferior mesenteric arteries (SMA and IMA), and therefore has lymphatic drainage to both areas. The blood supply is also highly variable, causing difficulties in determining the main feeding vessels and the main direction of lymph drainage. Few studies with limited cases focused on this specific tumor site with respect to the patterns of lymph node spread, especially the main lymph node status and the value of its dissection. The lack of information limits the development of a consensus on the extent of surgical resection and lymphadenectomy. Adequate mobilization of the colon facilitates a sufficient length of bowel resection and the high ligation of feeding arteries from both SMA and IMA. Further evidence on the chnoice of procedures and the extent of lymph node dissection need multicenter collaboration, with the use of modern techniques, including CT 3D reconstruction of the colon and angiography, as well as intraoperative fluorescent real-time imaging of lymph nodes.
Colon, Transverse/surgery* ; Colonic Neoplasms/surgery* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Lymph Node Excision/methods* ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior/surgery*

There are still controversies as to the location of ligating the inferior mesenteric artery and the central lymph node dissection during rectal cancer surgery. The reason is that the level of evidence in this area is low. Existing studies are mostly retrospective, analyses or small-sample randomized controlled trials. These results showed no significant differences between high-ligation and low-ligation, in terms of anastomotic leakage and other short-term postoperative complications. Low-ligation seems better for the recovery of postoperative genitourinary function. Due to the low rate of central lymph node metastasis and many other confounding factors that affect the survival rate, it is difficult to conclude the survival benefits of ligation site or central node dissection. It is necessary to carry out some targeted, well-designed, large-scale randomized controlled trials to explain the related issues of inferior mesenteric artery ligation site and extent of central lymphadenectomy.
Humans ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Ligation/methods* ; Lymph Node Excision/methods* ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior/surgery* ; Mesentery ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Rectum/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies

AIMS: The left colon receives its arterial supply from the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA). The detailed anatomical understanding of IMA is important for sigmoid colon or rectal cancer surgery. The aim of this study is to investigate the vascular anatomy of the IMA by measuring the distance from the aortic bifurcation and the length of the IMA in autopsy cases. METHODS: 41 consecutive autopsy cases were enrolled prospectively. 29 cases were males and 12 females. Mean age was 47.7+/-15.6 with a range of 12 to 82 years. The distance from the aortic bifurcation is measured between the angle of abdominal aortic bifurcation and the inferior margin of the IMA. The length of the IMA is measured between the root of the IMA and the proximal border of the first branch of the IMA. Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Spearman's rho were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The distance from the aortic bifurcation ranged from 3 to 6.3 cm with a mean of 4.4+/-0.71 cm. The length of the IMA ranged from 2.5 to 7 cm with a mean of 4+/-0.8 cm. The distance from the aortic bifurcation and the length of the IMA had no correlations with subject's height and weight. CONCLUSIONS: The vascular anatomy of the IMA in the general population is an important information for colorectal surgeon. Clear anatomical understanding of IMA may help perform oncologically safe colorectal surgery.
Autopsy* ; Colon ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Colorectal Surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior* ; Prospective Studies ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Rectum ; Statistics, Nonparametric

Inferior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula is rare and may be congenital or acquired. Affected patients present with abdominal pain, mass, or manifestations of portal hypertension and bowel ischemia. Until now, inferior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula due to trauma has not been reported. Herein, we report a case of a 53-year-old woman who had inferior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula considered to have originated from remote blunt trauma that was successfully treated by surgical resection of only the arteriovenous fistula without colectomy. To our knowledge, this is the first case of traumatic inferior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula.
Arteriovenous Fistula/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Colonoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior/radiography ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome