title: Three-dimensional computed tomography for analyzing the vascular anatomy in laparoscopic surgery for right-sided colon cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The mesenteric vessels have many branching patterns. This study clarified the anatomic relationship between the superior mesenteric vein (SMV), the right colic artery (RCA), and the ileocolic artery (ICA) using 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). The relationship between the RCA and the right colic vein (RCV) was also examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between April 2006 and July 2011, all patients with colorectal cancer underwent multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) before laparoscopic surgery. The 100 most recent consecutive cases were analyzed. 3D-CT images were made by combining arterial angiography, venous angiography, colonography, tumor, lymph node, and duodenal images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The RCA branched from the SMA in 37 cases (37%); of these, 21 had an ICA that crossed anterior to the SMV and 16 had an ICA that crossed posterior. When the ICA crossed anterior to the SMV, all had an RCA that crossed anterior to the SMV, and no posterior RCA was seen. Furthermore, the RCV joined the SMV in 10 cases (27%) and the gastrocolic trunk in 27 cases (73%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study clarified the anatomic variety of the vessels in right-sided colon cancer. Preoperative 3D-CT is useful for understanding the anatomy to ensure a safe, precise operation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Visceral Organ Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan.
authors.forename: Keitaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirai
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yoshinari
authors.forename: Hiroomi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Seshiru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakazawa
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takase
authors.forename: Kazumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Yohei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miyamae
authors.forename: Norifumi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsukagoshi
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Toya
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Totsuka
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sunose
authors.forename: Izumi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Takeyoshi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008642:Mesenteric Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*