[Arterial anatomy of the sigmoid colon useful for colon take down techniques]

An anatomic study about the arterial vascularization of the sigmoid was performed in order to obtain guidelines for the surgical treatment of rectal carcinoma.

In the proposed technique, the sigmoid is brought down to the perineum, after radical anal-rectal resection, including sphincterectomy.

Thirty-three anatomical pieces were obtained through in situ dissection of formolized corpses (22 were male and 11 female). Turpentine solution, red marking, polyvinyl chloride were the materials used for preparation after catheterization of the inferior mesenteric artery.

The inferior mesenteric artery originated in most cases from the left side of the abdominal aorta, approximately 4.3 cm fromits bifurcation point; the left colonic artery, in 25 cases, originated straight from the inferior mesenteric artery below the left colonic artery, after which the sigmoid would be brought down to the perineum.

Knowledge about arterial vascularization of the sigmoid could be helpful in the surgical management of rectal cancer.