High Ligation of the Inferior Mesenteric Artery Induces Hypoperfusion of the Sigmoid Colon Stump During Anterior Resection

Background: Anastomotic leakage (AL) after colorectal surgery is associated with insufficient vascular perfusion of the anastomotic ends. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of high vs. low ligation of the ileocolic artery and inferior mesenteric artery, respectively, on the vascular perfusion of the bowel stumps during ileocecal resection (ICR) and anterior rectal resection (AR).Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent ICR or AR between 2016 and 2020. Real-time indocyanine green fluorescence angiography was performed to measure the fluorescence time (FT) as a marker of the blood flow in the proximal and distal stumps before anastomosis.Results: Thirty-four patients with lower right-sided colon cancer underwent laparoscopic ICR. Forty-one patients with rectosigmoid colon or rectal cancer underwent robotic high AR (HAR) (n = 8), robotic low AR (LAR) (n = 6), laparoscopic HAR (n = 8), or laparoscopic LAR (n = 19). The FT was similar in the ileal and ascending colon stumps (p = 1.000) and did not differ significantly between high vs. low ligation of the ileocolic artery (p = 0.934). The FT was similar in the sigmoid colon and rectal stumps (p = 0.642), but high inferior mesenteric artery ligation significantly prolonged FT in the sigmoid colon during AR compared with low ligation (p = 0.004), indicating that the high ligation approach caused significant hypoperfusion compared with low ligation. The AL rate was similar after low vs. high ligation.Conclusions: Low vascular perfusion of the bowel stumps may not be an absolute risk factor for AL. High inferior mesenteric artery ligation could induce sigmoid colon stump hypoperfusion during anterior rectal resection.

Low Ligation Plus High Dissection Versus High Ligation of the Inferior Mesenteric Artery in Sigmoid Colon and Rectal Cancer Surgery: A Meta-Analysis

BackgroundWhether high or low ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is superior in surgery for rectal and sigmoid colon cancers remains controversial. Although several meta-analyses have been conducted, the level of lymph node clearance was poorly defined. We performed a meta-analysis comparing high and low ligation of the IMA for sigmoid colon and rectal cancers, with emphasis on high dissection of the lymph node at the IMA root in all the included studies.MethodsPubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases were searched to identify relevant articles published until 2020. The patient’s perioperative and oncologic outcomes were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical software RevMan version 5.4.ResultsA total of 17 studies, including four randomized controlled trials, published between 2011 and 2020 were selected. In total, 1,846 patients received low ligation of the IMA plus high dissection of lymph nodes (LL+HD), and 2,648 patients received high ligation of the IMA (HL). LL+HD was associated with low incidence of anastomotic leakage (p < 0.001), borderline long operative time (p = 0.06), and less yields of total lymph nodes (p = 0.03) but equivalent IMA root lymph nodes (p = 0.07); moreover, LL+HD exhibited non-inferior long-term oncological outcomes.ConclusionIn comparison with HL, LL+HD was an effective and safe oncological procedure for sigmoid colon and rectal cancers. Therefore, to ligate the IMA below the level of the left colic artery with D3 high dissection for sigmoid colon and rectal cancers might be suggested once the surgeons are familiar with this technique.Systematic Review RegistrationINPLASY.com, identifier 202190029.

Outcomes of level of ligation of inferior mesenteric artery in colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The level of ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is a critical factor that can influence outcomes. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare outcomes following high or low ligation of IMA. A systematic search was performed for relevant articles published between 2000 and 2020. Meta-analysis was performed using fixed-effects or random-effects models; 31 studies were included. Results show significantly lower rates of anastomotic leak, postoperative morbidity and urinary dysfunction with low ligation compared with high ligation. Though recurrence rates were similar, 5-year overall survival was longer in the low ligation group. Low ligation of IMA decreases anastomotic leak rates and overall morbidity. Addition of IMA nodal clearance to low ligation appears to improve overall survival in colorectal cancer.

A Short-Term Outcome on Ligating the Different Levels of the Inferior Mesenteric Artery (IMA). A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: This study is to analyze the impact on the level of Inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) ligation of Colorectal cancer surgery. The retrieval of lymph nodes (LNs) and anastomotic leakage was the main concern of this study. Methods: In this prospective study, the high and low ligation cases were selected. The retrieved LNs from roots of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and left colic artery (LCA) was sent for histopathological examination (HPE), irrespective of the method of ligation. The observation of HPE results and Anastomosis leakage were analyzed.Result: In the total numbers of 369 cases, 12 cases were cancer positive LNs at the root of IMA despite 349 harvested LNs. On another hand, just one case showed LCA positive LNs obliviously because just 12 cases were had harvested LNs at the root of LCA. where Two cases of leakage were seen in both groups over a three-month follow-up. Conclusions: This result signifies the importance of IMA root LNs clearance and concern of high ligation. However, the small number of cases demand further well-designed RCTs to make an evidence-based decision.