Three-dimensional reconstruction of the vascular arrangement including the inferior mesenteric artery and left colic artery in laparoscope-assisted colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: We performed three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction to investigate the vascular anatomy, including the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), left colic artery (LCA), and inferior mesenteric vein (IMV), for laparoscope-assisted left-side colorectal surgery. Furthermore, we also examined the distances from the root of the IMA to the bifurcation of the LCA and to the IMV using 3D imaging.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 46 patients who underwent laparoscope-assisted left-side colorectal surgery via 3D surgical reconstruction at Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital. The branching patterns among the IMA, LCA, and sigmoidal colic artery (SCA) in colon cancer could be classified into three groups (types A, B, and C): type A, in which both arteries (LCA and SCA) branch off from the same point of the IMA; type B, in which the common trunk of the LCA and SCA branches off from the IMA; and type C, in which the LCA and SCA branch off separately from the IMA. The shortest length from the root of the IMA to bifurcation of the LCA and SCA branches (D mm) or to the IMV (d mm) was measured by 3D imaging.

RESULTS: The mean D mm and d mm for all cases were 39.4 ± 11.2 and 27.9 ± 9.21 mm, respectively. The D mm from the IMA root to the LCA or SCA branch in types A, B, and C was 37.8 ± 9.21, 40.5 ± 12.7, and 38.6 ± 10.2 mm, respectively. Similarly, the d mm from the IMA root to the IMV in types A, B, and C was 30.2 ± 11.3, 29.9 ± 7.27, and 25.2 ± 10.3 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The present 3D reconstruction technique was useful for determining the 3D vascular anatomical pattern including the relative positions of the IMA, SCA, and IMV during laparoscope-assisted left-side colorectal surgery.