Re-interpreting mesenteric vascular anatomy on 3D virtual and/or physical models, part II: anatomy of relevance to surgeons operating splenic flexure cancer

BACKGROUND

The splenic flexure is irrigated from two vascular areas, both from the middle colic and the left colic artery. The challenge for the surgeon is to connect these two vascular areas in an oncological safe procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The vascular anatomy, manually 3D reconstructed from 32 preoperative high-resolution CT datasets using Osirix MD, Mimics Medical and 3-matic Medical Datasets, were exported as STL-files, video clips, stills and supplemented with 3D printed models.

RESULTS

Our first major finding was the difference in level between the middle colic and the inferior mesenteric artery origins. We have named this relationship a mesenteric inter-arterial stair. The middle colic artery origin could be found cranial (median 3.38 cm) or caudal (median 0.58 cm) to the inferior mesenteric artery. The lateral distance between the two origins was 2.63 cm (median), and the straight distance 4.23 cm (median). The second finding was the different trajectories and confluence pattern of the inferior mesenteric vein. This vein ended in the superior mesenteric/jejunal vein (21 patients) or in the splenic vein (11 patients). The inferior mesenteric vein confluence could be infrapancreatic (17 patients), infrapancreatic with retropancreatic arch (7 patients) or retropancreatic (8 patients). Lastly, the accessory middle colic artery was present in ten patients presenting another pathway for lymphatic dissemination.

CONCLUSION

The IMV trajectory when accessible, is the solution to the mesenteric inter-arterial stair. The surgeon could safely follow the IMV to its confluence. When the IMV trajectory is not accessible, the surgeon could follow the caudal border of the pancreas.

[Endoscopic stenting of malignant colorectal strictures]

BACKGROUND

Stenting of malignant colorectal strictures has been used in the management of colorectal obstruction in order to convert acute into elective surgery ("bridge to surgery") as well as to avoid surgery in disseminated disease.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

There are increasing numbers of international publications available. We have identified English-language reports from Pubmed. In addition we present our results with our first fifteen patients.

RESULTS

The results reported in the international literature are encouraging and similar. Technical success rates were achieved in about 90%, stent migration and re-obstruction in about 10%. The results from our hospital were consistent with those in the international literature.

CONCLUSION

Stenting of malignant colorectal strictures is an effective and safe definitive procedure in the palliation of malignant colorectal obstruction. Acute colorectal surgery may be converted into elective.