Korean J Leg Med.  2007 Nov;31(2):147-150.

The assessment of the vascular anatomy of the inferior mesenteric artery: an autopsy study

• Kim YW
• Choi YS
• Choi BH
• Kim YJ
• Kim DY
• Cho SJ
• Kim DJ
• Eom M
• Kim ES
• Park MH

Abstract

AIMS: The left colon receives its arterial supply from the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA). The detailed anatomical understanding of IMA is important for sigmoid colon or rectal cancer surgery. The aim of this study is to investigate the vascular anatomy of the IMA by measuring the distance from the aortic bifurcation and the length of the IMA in autopsy cases.
METHODS
41 consecutive autopsy cases were enrolled prospectively. 29 cases were males and 12 females. Mean age was 47.7+/-15.6 with a range of 12 to 82 years. The distance from the aortic bifurcation is measured between the angle of abdominal aortic bifurcation and the inferior margin of the IMA. The length of the IMA is measured between the root of the IMA and the proximal border of the first branch of the IMA. Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Spearman's rho were used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS
The distance from the aortic bifurcation ranged from 3 to 6.3 cm with a mean of 4.4+/-0.71 cm. The length of the IMA ranged from 2.5 to 7 cm with a mean of 4+/-0.8 cm. The distance from the aortic bifurcation and the length of the IMA had no correlations with subject's height and weight.
CONCLUSIONS
The vascular anatomy of the IMA in the general population is an important information for colorectal surgeon. Clear anatomical understanding of IMA may help perform oncologically safe colorectal surgery.

Keyword

Inferior mesenteric artery; surgery; colon; rectum; autopsy

MeSH Terms

Autopsy*
Colon
Colon, Sigmoid
Colorectal Surgery
Female
Humans
Male
Mesenteric Artery, Inferior*
Prospective Studies
Rectal Neoplasms
Rectum
Statistics, Nonparametric