Abstract:
Introduction: The ilea-caecal valve (ICV) is known to control the flow of chyme and to
prevent bacterial colonization of the small intestine. Preservation of this segment during
right hemicolectomy is likely 'to prevent loss of its function.
Methods: Fifty four fresh human cadavers (37 male, 17 female; median age- 54 years,
range 18 to 90 years) were studied after obtaining written, informed consent from a
relative. At postmortem, 20cm of terminal ileum with the ilea-caecal segment and up to
20cm of ascending colon were removed en-block with its mesentery and blood supply.
The ileo-colic artery was cannulated and injected with 1 Oml of water soluble red dye
under pressure. The arterial supply was dissected to demonstrate a pattern.
Results: In all, the ICV was supplied by the ileo-colic artery, a branch of the superior
mesenteric, which divided into an anterior and a posterior caecal branch. A marginal
branch of the right colic was noted to contribute to ICV blood supply in only 2( 4%).
Furthermore, study of the anastomosis at the ICV showed that the anterior caecal artery
was present in all ( 1 00% ), posterior caecal in 48(89%) and recurrent ileal artery was
present in 53(98%).
A rich anastomosis between vessels at the ICV; small 'windows', short tributaries, was
seen in 38(70%) whilst a poor anastomotic network at the ICV; large 'windows', long
tributaries, between these vessels was seen in 12(22%). In 4(8%), we were unable to
determine between rich and poor anastomotic networks clearly. Other variants included,
was absent posterior caecal artery in 6(11 %) and absent recurrent ileal artery in 1(2%).
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