The anatomy of the inferior mesenteric artery: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

IF 1.4 4区医学 Q2 Medicine

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Pub Date : 2025-05-24 DOI:10.1007/s00276-025-03657-1

George Triantafyllou, Nektarios Belimezakis, Orestis Lyros, Nikolaos Arkadopoulos, Fotis Demetriou, George Tsakotos, Maria Piagkou

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: This evidence-based systematic review with meta-analysis aims to synthesize the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) variants including their origin level, branching patterns, and morphometric characteristics.

Materials and methods: The study adhered to the latest guidelines. Four online databases were used for the systematic review, and studies that reported the prevalence of IMA variants were considered eligible for inclusion. A statistical meta-analysis was conducted using R programming software with a random-effects model to calculate the pooled prevalence of the variants.

Results: Twenty-three (23) studies were included in this analysis. The IMA typically originated at the 3rd lumbar vertebra (L3) level, occurring in 70.16% of cases. The most common branching pattern of the IMA was bifurcated, indicating a pooled prevalence of 63.89%. This predominant pattern involved the IMA bifurcating into the left colic artery (LCA) and a common trunk for both the superior rectal artery (SRA) and the sigmoid artery (SA), with a pooled prevalence of 46.09%. The IMA trifurcation and tetrafurcation had pooled prevalences of 27.35% and 11.62%, respectively. The diameter of the IMA had a pooled mean of 41.41 mm, and the distance from the IMA's origin to the LCA had a pooled mean of 40.67 mm.

Conclusions: This review of existing literature delineates the IMA levels of origin, branching patterns, and morphometric characteristics. A comprehensive understanding of the surgical anatomy of this vessel is imperative during colorectal cancer procedures. Consequently, surgeons operating in this anatomical region must possess an in-depth knowledge of typical and variant anatomical structures.

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肠系膜下动脉的解剖：一项系统综述和荟萃分析。

目的：本研究旨在综合肠系膜下动脉（IMA）变异，包括其起源水平、分支模式和形态特征。材料和方法：本研究遵循最新指南。四个在线数据库被用于系统评价，报告IMA变异流行的研究被认为有资格纳入。使用R编程软件进行统计荟萃分析，采用随机效应模型计算变异的总流行率。结果：本分析纳入了23项研究。IMA通常起源于第三腰椎（L3）水平，发生率为70.16%。IMA最常见的分支模式为分岔，总患病率为63.89%。这种主要的模式包括IMA分叉到左结肠动脉（LCA）和直肠上动脉（SRA）和乙状结肠动脉（SA）的共同干，总患病率为46.09%。IMA三分岔和四分岔的总患病率分别为27.35%和11.62%。IMA的直径平均为41.41 mm，从IMA起源到LCA的距离平均为40.67 mm。结论：本文回顾了现有文献，描述了IMA的起源水平、分支模式和形态特征。在结直肠癌手术过程中，对该血管的外科解剖有全面的了解是必要的。因此，在该解剖区域进行手术的外科医生必须对典型和变异解剖结构有深入的了解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Medicine-Pathology and Forensic Medicine

CiteScore

2.40

自引率

14.30%

发文量

期刊介绍： Anatomy is a morphological science which cannot fail to interest the clinician. The practical application of anatomical research to clinical problems necessitates special adaptation and selectivity in choosing from numerous international works. Although there is a tendency to believe that meaningful advances in anatomy are unlikely, constant revision is necessary. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, the first international journal of Clinical anatomy has been created in this spirit. Its goal is to serve clinicians, regardless of speciality-physicians, surgeons, radiologists or other specialists-as an indispensable aid with which they can improve their knowledge of anatomy. Each issue includes: Original papers, review articles, articles on the anatomical bases of medical, surgical and radiological techniques, articles of normal radiologic anatomy, brief reviews of anatomical publications of clinical interest. Particular attention is given to high quality illustrations, which are indispensable for a better understanding of anatomical problems. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy is a journal written by anatomists for clinicians with a special interest in anatomy.