Feasibility of using three-dimensional CT reconstruction to evaluate inferior mesenteric artery types before radical resection of rectal cancer / 中国实用外科杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and value of using three-dimensional CT reconstruction to evaluate the inferior mesenteric artery(IMA) classification and its characteristics in rectal cancer patients.METHODS: The clinical data of 108 rectal cancer patients admitted in Department of General Surgery, Daping Hospital of Army Military Medical University from January 2017 to November 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The IMA images obtained by three-dimensional CT reconstruction before the operation were reviewed,the IMA was typed according to the different characteristics of IMA branches, and compared and analyzed the differences and characteristics of each IMA type. The length of IMA and the distance from the root of IMA to the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta were measured,and their associations with clinical features were analyzed.RESULTS: Of the 108 cases,60 were male and 48 were female. The IMA was classified into four types, of which 53(49.1%)were type Ⅰ,24(22.2%)were type Ⅱ,18(16.7%)were type Ⅲ,and 13(12%)were type Ⅳ. Univariate ANOVA showed that there were no statistically significant differences in age,BMI,LIMA,DIMA,number of positive lymph nodes,intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hospital stay among the patients with different IMA types(P>0.05). However,there was a statistically significant difference in IMA length between type II and type I or type Ⅲ(P=0.022 and 0.011,respectively). The average IMA length(LIMA)was(5.7±2.0)cm,and the average distance(DIMA)between the root of IMA and the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta was(6.3±2.3)cm.CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional CT angiography can be used before radical resection of rectal cancer to obtain the types of IMA branches and their pathways,so as to provide guidance for the treatment of IMA and preservation LCA in radical resection of rectal cancer.