Variations in right colic vascular anatomy observed during laparoscopic right colectomy

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Vascular Surgery
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Right colonic vascular variability is crucial for surgical planning.
• Understanding anatomical variations can prevent intraoperative complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the variability of right colonic vascular anatomy.
• To classify vascular variations in Chinese patients undergoing colectomy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 60 laparoscopic radical right colectomy videos.
• Evaluation of vascular anatomy including superior mesenteric artery and vein, ileocolic, right colic, and middle colic arteries and veins.

Main Results:

• Superior mesenteric artery was left of the superior mesenteric vein in 95% of cases.
• Right colic artery present in 55%, with double arteries in 3.33%.
• Right colic vein drainage varied, with 66.1% entering the gastrocolic trunk of Henle.

Conclusions:

• Classified right colonic vascular variations in Chinese patients.
• Identified SMA positioned to the right of SMV and variations in MCA length.
• Findings can improve surgical safety and reduce vascular complications in minimally invasive procedures.