Gastrocolic vein. Definition and report of two cases of avulsion

The gastrocolic v. or Henle's gastrocolic trunk was described in 1868 [9]. We suggest defining this vein as the confluence of the right gastroepiploic and right upper colic vv. We report two original cases of avulsion of the gastrocolic v. occurring during a blunt abdominal trauma. The aim of this paper is a description, based on the literature, of the anatomy of the gastrocolic v. in order to precise the lesional mechanism. The gastrocolic v. is present in 70% of individuals. It is short (less than 25 mm) but of major calibre (3 to 10 mm). The gastrocolic v. is situated close beneath the root of the transverse mesocolon, and travels along the anterior surface of the head of the pancreas. Anatomic variations are detailed and a meta-analysis of interpretable studies was made. Both the supra- and infra-mesocolic surgical approaches are described. The radiologic and surgical importance of the gastrocolic v. is discussed. The lesional mechanism in both our cases of injury of the gastrocolic v. is explained.