Exploring the topography of the splenic artery: a comprehensive analysis

Comprehensive knowledge of the complete anatomy of the splenic artery (SA) is of utmost importance in various abdominal surgical procedures. The present study aims to present a novel arterial map of the SA, showcasing its origin and course in the abdominal cavity. We hope that our results can be of great value to physicians performing the aforementioned procedures.

The research involved the analysis of records from 75 consecutive patients who underwent abdomen and pelvis computed tomography angiography. Morphometric characteristics of the SA and/or its associated anatomical area were evaluated across 42 categories.

The SA was identified to originate from the celiac trunk in 73 cases (98.6%) and in one case from the aorta (1.4%). The most common branching pattern was the left gastric artery, followed by the common trunk of SA and the common hepatic artery occurring in 51 cases (69.9%). The median SA length (in a straight line) was determined to be 74.18 mm (LQ = 64.50; HQ = 87.22). Moreover, the median length of SA (over the surface) was 149.28 mm (LQ = 119.28, HQ = 177.50).

The present study demonstrated the high complexity of the arterial blood supply of the spleen. The SA exhibited a significant degree of variability regarding its course, branching pattern, and spatial relationship to the pancreas. By creating a novel arterial heat map, we provided a detailed visualization of the SA's course. These findings aim to improve the pre- and intraoperative identification of the SA, potentially reducing costs and the risk of complications associated with iatrogenic vessel injury during various surgical and endovascular procedures.