Blood Flow Path Reconstruction in Rectal Cancer

A total of 89 patients with distal sigmoid and rectal cancer were referred for observation and underwent MS-CTA between June 2020 and March 2022. The distribution of the left colic artery (LCA) was classified, and the presence of the accessory middle colic artery (AMCA) was assessed. Blood flow paths were planned preoperatively based on the classification of LCA branches. High ligation was performed during standard radical surgery. Intraoperatively, particular care was taken to preserve the bifurcation of the ascending and descending branches of the LCA. The planned blood flow paths were then compared with the actual postoperative blood flow paths to validate the previously proposed mechanism.