BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery requires a more detailed understanding of local anatomy than does conventional open surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of dynamic computed tomography (D-CT) for identification of the location of the left gastric vein (LGV) and existence of the aberrant left hepatic artery (ALHA) compared with conventional enhanced computed tomography (E-CT). METHODS: Sixty-eight patients underwent laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy (LAG). E-CT and D-CT were performed in 32 and 36 patients, respectively, and three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) was performed in addition to D-CT. The location of the LGV and existence of the ALHA were confirmed during LAG, and these results were compared with those determined preoperatively by CT imaging. RESULTS: The location of the LGV as detected by preoperative E-CT and D-CT was consistent with that identified during LAG in 28 (87.5%) and 31 (88.9%) patients, respectively, with no statistical differences. The existence of the ALHA as detected by preoperative E-CT and D-CT was consistent with that identified during gastrectomy in 24 (75%) and 36 (100%) patients, respectively, with a statistical difference (P = 0.005). Furthermore, the type of ALHA could be identified in 10 of 12 patients (83.3%) by D-CT. CONCLUSION: D-CT can produce excellent images of the vascular supply, and thus undoubtedly contributes to the preoperative planning of LAG. Preoperative D-CT might be an informative tool with which to help overcome the disadvantages of LAG.
BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery requires a more detailed understanding of local anatomy than does conventional open surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of dynamic computed tomography (D-CT) for identification of the location of the left gastric vein (LGV) and existence of the aberrant left hepatic artery (ALHA) compared with conventional enhanced computed tomography (E-CT). METHODS: Sixty-eight patients underwent laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy (LAG). E-CT and D-CT were performed in 32 and 36 patients, respectively, and three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) was performed in addition to D-CT. The location of the LGV and existence of the ALHA were confirmed during LAG, and these results were compared with those determined preoperatively by CT imaging. RESULTS: The location of the LGV as detected by preoperative E-CT and D-CT was consistent with that identified during LAG in 28 (87.5%) and 31 (88.9%) patients, respectively, with no statistical differences. The existence of the ALHA as detected by preoperative E-CT and D-CT was consistent with that identified during gastrectomy in 24 (75%) and 36 (100%) patients, respectively, with a statistical difference (P = 0.005). Furthermore, the type of ALHA could be identified in 10 of 12 patients (83.3%) by D-CT. CONCLUSION:D-CT can produce excellent images of the vascular supply, and thus undoubtedly contributes to the preoperative planning of LAG. Preoperative D-CT might be an informative tool with which to help overcome the disadvantages of LAG.
Entities:
Keywords:
anatomy; computed tomography; gastrectomy; gastric cancer; laparoscopic surgery
Authors: T Shimizu; T Misaki; K Yamamoto; Y Tanaka; K Utsunomiya; K Sueyoshi; I Narabayashi Journal: Clin Imaging Date: 1999 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 1.605