Anatomy of superior mesenteric and portal vein confluence and clinical application

ABSTRACT

Anatomy of portal and superior mesenteric vein confluence was investigated in 54 specimens collected from adult cadavers that underwent autopsy at ViÖt §øc Hospital during 1995 - 2000. Results showed that the average length of superior mesenteric vein is 203cm. The confluence of superior mesenteric and portal vein is under common truncal wall in 15/54 cases. 3 veins, including spleen, superior and inferior mesenteric veins meet each other at unique confluent point in 3/54 cases. 46/54 cases have 9 to 14 vein branches that flow to superior mesenteric vein at left wall of mobilized segment. These branches have cluster-like distribution in 4/45 cases. It is not found that the immobilized segment of superior mesenteric vein divided into two or three that cause difficulty for making portal-aortic anastomosis in right wall. 30/54 cases have Descomps trunk that flows to immobilized segment. 38/54 cases have 2-3 extra branches that flows to superior mesenteric vein from head of pancreas at posterior wall of immobilized segment