Value of ligating the middle colic artery from the root in radical surgical treatment of right hemicolon cancer

Objective To compare the long-term outcome of ligating the middle colic artery in radical surgical treatment of right hemicolon cancer. Methods The operation safety, complications and short-term outcome between two groups of patients undergone either ligating the middle colic artery from its root (A group) or ligating the middle colic artery from its right branch (B group) in right bemicolectomy for colon cancer. Results Between January 1981 and December 2004, 308 patients underwent radical right hemicolectomy in which 103 patients were treated by ligating the middle colic artery from its roots (Jan. 1996 to Dec. 2004, A group), and 205 patients via ligating the middle colic artery from the roots of its right branch (Jan. 1981 to Dec. 1995, B group). The complications were compared between the two groups (P>0.05). The mean follow-up time of A and B group were (50.1±7.2) months and (49.1±7.2) months respectively. Local recurrences of 1-year, 3-year and cumulative survival probability at the 60th month in group A were 1.9%, 13.6% and (78.3±3.4)% respectively, which were significantly better than 19.0%, 24.9% and (64.8±2.8)% in group B (P<0.05). Conclusion Ligating the middle colic artery from its root in right hemicolectomy can be performed safely and effectively, which is to be highly recommended in curative resection of right colon. Key words: Colonic neoplasms;  Surgical procedures;  Blood vessel;  Disease-free survival