An Angiography Study of the Colon Artery from the Superior Mesenteric Artery

ABSTRACT

Incorporation of laparoscopic techniques into the gastrointestinal surgeon's armamentarium has led to a renewal of interest in the anatomy of mesenteric arteries because hemorrhagic complications can be a major cause of conversion and/or morbidity during laparoscopic intestinal surgery. BACKGROUND: Since a colonic resection with laparoscopic techniques has become a common procedure, the limited exposure currently provided in laparoscopic intestinal resection demands a precise knowledge of mesenteric vascular anatomy to avoid such complications and to expedite the procedure. Historically, It was thought that the arterial supply to the right colon consisted of three arterial branches (middle colic artery, right colic artery, ileocolic artery) arising independently from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). However, on recent reports and clinical observations, two colonic arteries only arising independently from the SMA are more common than three colonic arteries. METHODS: We reviewed 40 cases of angiography which focused on the SMA and it's branches. RESULTS: We found the ileocolic artery in 39 of 40 cases, the middle colic artery in 39 of 40, and the right colic artery in 19 of 40. Based on the existence of the right colic artery in our review, about half (47.5%) of the cases had a right colic artery directly arising from this SMA. CONCLUSION: This knowledge may help lower the risk of vascular complications during laparoscopic intestinal surgery.