Laparoscopic radical treatment with preservation of left colon artery and superior rectal artery for sigmoid colon cancer

During the classical radical treatment for sigmoid colon cancer, ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) at its root is typically performed to achieve better dissection of central and intermediate lymph node groups and improve the surgical outcomes. However, the blood supply to the left colon artery (LCA), sigmoid artery, and superior rectal artery (SRA) is blocked after the ligation at the root of the IMA. Here, we report laparoscopic radical treatment with preservation of the LCA and SRA for sigmoid colon cancer to preservation of blood supply to the anastomosis. The method was indicated to treat cancer at the middle portion of sigmoid colon. In the operation, we careful dissection of IMA exposes the trunk of IMA. The surrounding lymphatic tissue is dissected from the IMA root to its distal end. The LCA is preserved. After IMA divides LCA, 2–5 sigmoid colon arteries are transected one after another at the distal end of the LCA until it further divides into left and right rectal arteries before entering the lateral wall of rectum. The inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) is transected at the lower edge of the pancreas, and the mesorectum is cut open towards the spleen curvature at the lower edge of the pancreas. Other procedures are similar with IMA high ligation surgery. Generally, LCA and SRA can be successfully preserved, and if necessary, the colonic splenic flexure should be mobilized to ensure that there is no tension at the anastomosis. The operation doesn’t significantly prolonged operation, but retrieved comparable lymph node counts with IMA high ligation surgery. Dissection of the lymphoadipose tissues at the root of IMA with the preservation of LCA and SRA is an easily performed surgery. It guarantees further prospective clinical research to compare the anastomosis leakage and oncological outcome with IMA high ligation surgery.