A common arterial trunk replacing middle colic and right colic arteries : a case report and surgical significance

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The mesenteric vascular supply is a combination of rich collateral networks and commonly encountered variant anatomy. The effect of normal and variant anatomy has implications on pathology, treatment choices, and planning interventions. A review of anatomic variants will assist in understanding the implications of abnormal anatomy on treatment for diseases associated with the mesentery.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A routine dissection of mesenteric blood vessels of a 67-year old male cadaver in the dissecting room of Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University.

RESULTS: It was noted that there was a wide caliber and long (7.5cm) arterial trunk. There were absences of middle colic and right colic arteries. The middle colic artery was represented by an ascending branch while the right colic artery was represented by the descending branch.

CONCLUSION: The incidence of such an anomaly is relatively high. These arterial variations underscore the importance of performing vascular studies prior to major abdominal surgery