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. 2020 Jun;34(6):2763-2772.
doi: 10.1007/s00464-020-07423-9. Epub 2020 Feb 21.

A video guide of five access methods to the splenic flexure: the concept of the splenic flexure box

Alvaro Garcia-Granero  1 , Vicent Primo Romaguera  2 , Monica Millan  3 , Gianluca Pellino  4 , Delfina Fletcher-Sanfeliu  1 , Matteo Frasson  3 , Blas Flor-Lorente  3 , Noelia Ibañez-Canovas  5 , Omar Carreño Saenz  6 , Luis Sánchez-Guillén  7 , Jorge Sancho-Muriel  3 , Eduardo Alvarez-Sarrado  3 , Alfonso A Valverde-Navarro  8
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A video guide of five access methods to the splenic flexure: the concept of the splenic flexure box

Alvaro Garcia-Granero et al. Surg Endosc. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe all the possible approaches for laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization (SFM), each suitable for specific situations, and create an illustrated system to show SFM approaches in an easy and practical way to make it easy to learn and teach.

Methods: Two different phases. First part: Cadaver-based study of the colonic splenic flexure anatomy. In order to demonstrate the different approaches, a balloon was placed through the colonic hepatic flexure in the lesser sac without sectioning any of the fixing ligaments of the splenic flexure. Second part: A real case series of laparoscopic SFM.

Results: First part: 11 cadavers were dissected. Five potential approaches to SFM were found: anterior, trans-omentum, lateral, medial infra-mesocolic, and medial trans-mesocolic. The illustrative system developed was named: Splenic Flexure "Box"(SFBox). Second part: One of the types of SFM described in first part was used in five patients with colorectal cancer. Each laparoscopic approach to the splenic flexure was illustrated in a video accompanied by illustration aids delineating the access.

Conclusion: With the cadaver dissection and subsequent demonstration in real-life laparoscopic surgery, we have shown five types of laparoscopic splenic flexure mobilization. The Splenic Flexure "Box" is a useful way to learn and teach this surgical maneuver.

Keywords: Colon; Colorectal cancer; Human anatomy; Laparoscopy; Splenic flexure; Surgical anatomic.

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