Objective: To investigate the configuration of colic vessels in Chinese and its influence on the operation of esophageal replacement with colon (ERC).
Methods: The origin, trend, branching, configuration, and distribution of the colic vessels, the intensity of the colic arterial impulse, the integrity of the marginal artery at the splenic flexure and hepatic flexure of colon were observed during the operation of ERC among 582 patients undergoing ERC, 402 males mad 180 females, aged 2 approximately 74, from 22 provinces, municipality, and autonomous regions.
Results: The left colic artery (LCA) stemmed from the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) in 97.3% of the patients, with an absence rate of 0.7%. The middle colic artery (MCA) stemmed from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in 77.8% of the patients with an absence rate of 8.2%. Accessory middle colic artery (acMCA), originating from the right colic artery, could be seen in 6.2% of the patients 39.7% of the right colic artery (RCA) stemmed from the SMA by itself, 23.0% of the RMA stemmed together with MCA, and 28.0% of the RCA stemmed together with the ileocolic artery. The absence rate of RCA was 9.8%. The intactness rate of marginal artery was 96.8% at the splenic flexure of colon, and was 88.7% at the hepatic flexure. The Rolan arch was seen in only 7.6% of the patients.
Conclusion: The configuration of colic vessels in Chinese was basically similar to those of the results of autopsies carried out abroad. The optimal supply artery of colic segment during ERC is LCA, followed by LCA. Attention should be paid to the integrity of marginal arteries and veins in the patients with history of epigastric operation.