BACKGROUND: SMA-first approach in pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) has been widely applied in open surgery as well as laparoscopy. Finding the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), inferior pancreatoduodenal artery (IPDA), first jejunal artery (J1A) has become a great challenge in laparoscopic PD (LPD). Meanwhile, exposing the midde colic artery (MCA) might be a feasible approach to determine SMA, IPDA, and J1A. Our study aims to find the anatomical correlation between MCA and SMA, IPDA, J1A, especially in SMA-first approach LPD from the left.
METHODS: Uncontrolled clinical trial with 33 patients undergoing LPD had preoperative contrast abdominal CT scan to analyze the anatomical relevance between MCA and SMA, J1A, IPDA. The operation was performed starting with exposing MCA in advance to find SMA, J1A and IPDA. The data was analyzed by SPSS 25.0.
RESULTS: 90.9% of MCA started at 12-3 o\'clock from SMA, the mean distance from the SMA root to the MCA and J1A was 56.4 mm and 37.4 mm, respectively. The distance between SMA and J1A was 19 mm. 72.7% J1A started at 9-12 o\'clock, 69.7% J1A and IPDA had a common trunk. 78.8% IPDA started at 3-6 o\'clock. 100% of the cases had J1A controlled intraoperatively, 81.8% for IPDA when approached from the left, 3% had MCA injury. The mean time to approach from the left was 98 min, median blood loss was 100 ml.
CONCLUSIONS: Exposing MCA first helps determine SMA, J1A and IPDA safely, efficiently and faciliates SMA-first approach LPD from the left and complete dissection of the mesopancreas and lymph nodes.

UNASSIGNED: We encountered a colon cancer case with a very rare anomaly of the middle colic artery (MCA) originating from the splenic artery (SA).
UNASSIGNED: A woman was referred to our hospital for transverse colon cancer. Three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) angiography showed an anomalous MCA originating from the SA rather than from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) as is typical. Laparoscopic left hemicolectomy with D3 lymph node dissection was performed. The lymph nodes around the SMA were dissected from the caudal view, confirming the absence of a typical MCA. An anomalous SA-originating MCA was identified just below the pancreas, where it was clipped and ligated; subsequently, total mesenteric excision was achieved.
UNASSIGNED: As D3 lymph node dissection for transverse colon cancer is technically difficult, 3D-CT angiography is useful for identifying vascular anomalies preoperatively, thereby avoiding intraoperative injury. This is the first case report of laparoscopic colectomy associated with a SA-originating MCA anomaly.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysms of the middle colic artery (MCAA) and its branches are exceedingly rare accounting for <3% of total visceral aneurysms. Very few MCAA cases have been reported in the literature with only three cases accounting for a diameter >4 cm.
METHODS: We describe the successful open repair with ligation of a 4.2 cm asymptomatic MCAA in a female patient through the gastrohepatic ligament taking meticulous caution to avoid injury of the pancreas. The postoperative period was uneventful and the patient was discharged from the hospital on the fifth postoperative day. At 1 month follow-up the postoperative computed tomographic angiography documented complete exclusion of the MCAA and absence of contrast agent in the sac both in the arterial and the venous phase.
CONCLUSIONS: While the endovascular treatment is the first-line option for visceral aneurysms, the open approach is still reserved for certain cases of hostile anatomy, challenging location and large size. Our case highlights the irreplaceable role of open surgery and underlines the collaboration between surgical specialties.

The middle colic artery usually arises from the superior mesenteric artery, but in rare cases it may arise from the coeliac trunk or its branches. The aim of this study was to investigate variant origins of the middle colic artery on computed tomography and anatomical dissection. Variant middle colic arteries were identified on computed tomography as part of an ongoing study investigating anatomical variations of vessels of the upper abdomen. Three-dimensional reconstructions were made to demonstrate the variant findings. Cadaveric dissections were performed as part of a routine dissection course. We report five cases of rare variant origins of the middle colic artery arising from the coeliac axis. Among these sites of origin were the coeliac trunk, the gastrosplenic trunk, the splenic artery, and the common hepatic artery. Four cases were identified on multi-detector computed tomography and one in a cadaver. In all cases, the vessels passed posterior to the body of the pancreas before entering the transverse mesocolon. Knowledge of middle colic artery variations is important to prevent inadvertent injury in digestive surgery, especially in the hepatopancreatic area. Variant origins of the middle colic artery are rare, and their knowledge is crucial to prevent unnecessary iatrogenic injury during abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: The recommended operation for cecum cancer (CC) is right hemicolectomy (RH) in some Western countries while the principle of D3 lymphadenectomy in Japan recommends resecting approximately 10 cm from the tumor edge. Therefore, the optimal surgical approach for cecum cancer (CC) remains controversial. We conducted this retrospective study to explore the pattern of lymph node metastasis and better surgical procedures for CC.
METHODS: A total of 224 cecum cancer patients from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2021, were retrospectively included in the final study. The pattern of lymph node metastasis (LNM) was investigated.
RESULTS: A total of 113 (50.4%, 113/224) patients had pathologically confirmed LNM. The most frequent metastatic site was no. 201 lymph node (46%, 103/224), while 20 (8.9%, 20/224) patients had LNM in no. 202 lymph node, and 8 (3.6%, 8/224) patients had LNM in no. 203 lymph node. Only 1 (0.4%, 1/224) patient had LNM in no. 221 lymph node, four (1.8, 4/224%) patients had LNM in no. 223 lymph node, and no patients had LNM in no. 222 lymph node. LNM in no. 223 lymph node was significantly associated with a poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis indicated that LNM in no. 223 lymph node (HR = 4.59, 95% CI 1.18-17.86, P = 0.028) was the only independent risk factor associated with worse disease-free survival (DFS).
CONCLUSIONS: The LNM in no. 223 lymph node for cecum cancer was rare. Therefore, standard right hemicolectomy excision is too extensive for most CC cases.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic and robotic surgery for transverse colon cancer are difficult due to complex fusion of the foregut and midgut and variation of the vessels of the transverse colon. Although the vessels of the right colon have been investigated, middle colic artery (MCA) variation and the relationship with vessels around the transvers colon are unknown. We investigated variation of the MCA using computed tomography angiography (CTA) and cadaver specimen and the relationship between the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and MCA using CTA. The classification of vessels around the transverse colon may lead to safer and reliable surgery.
METHODS: This study included 505 consecutive patients who underwent CTA in our institution from 2014 to 2020 and 44 cadaver specimens. Vascular anatomical classifications and relationships were analyzed using CT images.
RESULTS: The MCA was defined as the arteries arising from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) that flowed into the transverse colon at the distal ends. The classifications were as follows: type I, branching right and left from common trunk; type II, the right and left branches bifurcated separately from the SMA; and type III, the MCA branched from a vessel other than the SMA. Type II was subclassified into two subtypes, type IIa with one left branch and type IIb with two or more left branches from SMA. In the CTA and cadaver studies, respectively, the classifications were as follows: type I, n = 290 and n = 31; type IIa, n = 211 and n = 13; type IIb, n = 3 and n = 0; and type III, n = 1 and n = 0. We classified the relationship between the MCA and left side of the SMV into three types: type A, a common trunk runs along the left edge of the SMV (n = 173; 59.7%); type B, a right branch of the MCA runs along the left edge of the SMV (n = 116; 40.0%); and type C, the MCA runs dorsal of the SMV (n = 1; 0.3%).
CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that The MCA branching classifications and relationship between the SMV and MCA. Preoperative CT angiography may be able to reliably identify vessel variation, which may be useful in clinical practice.

UNASSIGNED: Ruptured middle colic artery aneurysm is extremely uncommon. Diagnosis can be challenging, as symptomatology can be attributed to more common abdominal pathologies. Due to the rarity of this condition, only case reports are available to inform management.
UNASSIGNED: We present the case of a 72-year-old woman with a ruptured middle colic artery aneurysm presenting with signs and symptoms more suggestive of acute calculous cholecystitis. Her co-existing bleed was confirmed on CT angiogram. Coil embolization was initially attempted unsuccessfully. She underwent laparotomy, a middle colic artery ligation, and extended right hemicolectomy with intra-aortic balloon placement for emergency proximal vascular control. Post-operatively, she had a re-bleed that was successfully managed with covered stent placement in the proximal superior mesenteric artery after an unsuccessful re-attempt at coil embolization. Her apparent associated cholecystitis was managed with antibiotics and resolved uneventfully.
UNASSIGNED: A middle colic artery aneurysm can be challenging to diagnose and treat. Management options include endovascular techniques, open surgery, or a combination approach. Intra-aortic balloon placement for emergency vascular control is a novel approach that could avoid hemorrhage when intra-abdominal vascular access is challenging.

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.
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.
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.
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.

BACKGROUND: Vascular anatomy of the ascending colon is more complex and variable as compared to the left. Variations range from the mode of origin, branching to territorial supply. The present study was undertaken to learn the anatomical variations of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and its colic branches in detail.
METHODS: The study included 50 formalin fixed cadavers aged between 40 and 65 years. The colic branches arising from SMA were dissected to trace their mode of origin, branching pattern, and territorial supply. Based on the mode of origin of the colic branches, the SMA anatomy was classified into four patterns: I; II a, b, c; III; and IV.
RESULTS: SMA itself showed variations in its origin (as celiacomesenteric and hepatomesenteric trunk), so the colic branches arising from it. In most of the cases, middle (MCA), right (RCA), and ileocolic artery (ICA) originated independently from SMA (I). A common stem (CS) was reported between MCA and RCA (IIa) in seven cases; RCA and ICA in one (IIb); MCA and LCA in one. MCA originated from the coeliac trunk (CT) in one case. In one case, each of absent RCA (III) and accessory artery arising from SMA (IV) was also noticed. In one case, the right branch of MCA gave origin to RCA. Additionally, close association was observed between pattern IIa and incomplete inter-colic anastomosis.
CONCLUSIONS: Variations in the origin of SMA may potentially influence branching patterns of colic arteries. MCA is the most variant and ICA is the most consistent branch of SMA. Distinctive variations like MCA arising from CT or arising as CS with LCA and incomplete inter-colic anastomosis in pattern IIa are of outrageous importance for operating surgeons during surgical procedures of colon. Based on study results, we propose a modification in the classification of SMA anatomy to include the CS of MCA and LCA as type IId; however, its success relies upon universal acceptance.

The middle mesenteric artery, also known as the third mesenteric artery, is a very rare anomaly. Several anatomical variations of middle mesenteric artery have been reported; in these reports, the right colic artery and/or middle colic artery often originate directly from the aorta. Here, we report a middle mesenteric artery in which the middle colic artery originated directly from the abdominal aorta. We also provide three-dimensional computed tomography and angiography findings and discuss anatomical and embryological considerations.