Clinical study of the posterior gastric artery and the lymph nodes around it in patients with gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to gather and analyze the anatomical characteristics of the posterior gastric artery (PGA), investigate the presence and metastasis of lymph nodes around the PGA in patients with gastric cancer. Additionally, the study aims to analyze the relationship between the PGA and its surrounding lymph nodes and the clinicopathological features of patients with gastric cancer. METHODS: This study consisted of a cross-sectional analysis of data from 52 patients with gastric cancer who underwent total or proximal gastrectomy at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, between January 2020 and November 2022. Intraoperative exploration was performed to determine the presence of the PGA, and patients with the PGA were assessed for relevant anatomical characteristics, including the length of the PGA and the distance from the root of the PGA to the celiac trunk. Dissection of lymph nodes around the PGA was also performed. Statistical methods were employed to describe and analyze the data regarding the presence of the PGA, as well as the presence and metastasis of the lymph nodes around the PGA. Additionally, the study identified clinicopathological factors associated with these conditions. RESULTS: The PGA was identified in 39 (75.0%) out of 52 patients with gastric cancer, exhibiting a mean PGA length of 3.5 ± 0.8 cm and a mean distance from the root of the PGA to the celiac trunk of 6.7 ± 1.7 cm. Among the 39 patients who underwent dissection of lymph nodes around the PGA, 36 lymph nodes around the PGA were detected in 20 patients. Analysis of factors associated with the presence of lymph nodes around the PGA revealed a significant correlation with the macroscopic type of the tumor and the total number of dissected lymph nodes (P = 0.007 and P = 0.022, respectively), with a larger number of total dissected lymph nodes being an independent factor (OR = 1.105, 95%CI: 1.019-1.199, P = 0.016). Furthermore, analysis of risk factors for metastasis of the lymph nodes around the PGA demonstrated that the total number of metastatic lymph nodes, No.3 lymph node metastasis, and No.11 lymph node metastasis were associated with metastasis of the lymph nodes around the PGA (P = 0.043, P = 0.028, and P = 0.020, respectively). CONCLUSION: The PGA exhibits a high incidence. It is essential to carefully identify the PGA during procedures involving the PGA and consider appropriate preservation or disconnection of this vessel. The presence of lymph nodes around the PGA is not an isolated occurrence. Gastric cancer can result in metastasis of the lymph nodes around the PGA. Although the overall risk of metastasis of the lymph nodes around the PGA is low in patients with gastric cancer, it increases in the presence of conditions such as No.3 lymph node metastasis, No.11 lymph node metastasis, advanced tumor stage, and extensive metastases in other regional lymph nodes.

Transarterial chemoembolization in a patient with the replaced right hepatic and left gastric arteries arising from the abdominal aorta: a new anatomical variation.

PURPOSE: Knowing the anatomical variation of the coeliac trunk (CT) and its detailed interpretation in the preoperative period is important for the prevention of iatrogenic injury during liver surgery or endovascular intervention on the coeliac trunk and its branches. METHODS: A diagnostic abdominal computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed in a 61-year-old male patient, who was investigated for a liver cancer and chemoembolization was planned. RESULTS: CTA reveals that right hepatic artery (RHA) arises directly from the abdominal aorta, at the level of CT. This vessel coursing to the right hepatic lobe, functioning therefore as a replaced right hepatic artery (RRHA). Also, the left gastric artery (LGA) arises directly from the abdominal aorta. This patient successfully underwent chemoembolization from RRHA. CONCLUSION: We presented a case of new anatomical variation involving the origination of RRHA and LGA from the abdominal aorta.

An Unusual Anatomical Variation of Accessory Left Gastric Artery Arising from Left Hepatic Artery / Una Variación Anatómica Inusual de la Arteria Gástrica Izquierda Accesoria que se Origina de la Arteria Hepática Izquierda

SUMMARY: The stomach receives a rich blood supply from five sets of arteries, all of which originate from the celiac trunk. During the dissection of a female cadaver that had been fixed with formalin, an atypical branching pattern was observed. An accessory left gastric artery was found to originate from the left hepatic artery and send small branches to the esophagus, cardia, and fundus of the stomach. However, there was no anastomosis between the lower accessory left gastric artery and the left gastric artery. This is a rare variant of the gastric artery that has not been previously described in detail. It is important to recognize this variation for safe and effective interventional diagnosis and treatment techniques if dealing with the liver or gastric arteries.

El estómago recibe un rico suministro de sangre de cinco conjuntos de arterias, todas las cuales se originan en el tronco celíaco. Durante la disección de un cadáver femenino que había sido fijado con formalina, se observó un patrón de ramificación atípico. Se encontró una arteria gástrica izquierda accesoria que se originaba en la arteria hepática izquierda y enviaba pequeñas ramas al esófago, el cardias y el fondo del estómago. Sin embargo, no hubo anastomosis entre la arteria gástrica izquierda accesoria inferior y la arteria gástrica izquierda. Se trata de una variante rara de la arteria gástrica que no se ha descrito previamente en detalles. Es importante reconocer esta variación para la aplicación de técnicas de diagnóstico y tratamiento intervencionistas seguras y efectivas a nivel del hígado o las arterias gástricas.

EMBIO trial study protocol: left gastric artery embolisation for weight loss in patients living with obesity with a BMI 35-50 kg/m2.

INTRODUCTION: Left gastric artery embolisation (LGAE) is a well-established treatment for major upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding when control is not established via upper GI endoscopy and recently has shown promising results for weight loss in small single arm studies. LGAE could be a treatment option in between our current tier-3 and tier-4 services for obesity. EMBIO is a National Institute for Health Research funded trial, a multicentre double-blinded randomised controlled trial between Imperial College National Health Service Trust and University College London Hospital, comparing LGAE versus Placebo procedure. The key aims of the trial is to evaluate LGAE efficacy on weight loss, its mechanism of action, safety profile and obesity-related comorbidities. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: 76 participants will be recruited from the existing tier-3 database after providing informed consent. Key inclusion criteria include adults aged 18-70 with a body mass index 35-50 kg/m2 and appropriate anatomy of the left gastric artery and coeliac plexus on CT Angiogram. Key exclusion criteria included previous major abdominal and bariatric surgery, weight >150 kg, type 2 diabetes on any medications other than metformin and the use of weight modifying medications. Participants will undergo mechanistic visits 1 week prior to the intervention and 3, 6 and 12 months postintervention. Informed consent will be received from each participant and they will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to left gastric artery embolisation and placebo treatment. Blinding strategies include the use of moderate doses of sedation, visual and auditory isolation. All participants will enter a tier-3 weight management programme postintervention. The primary analysis will estimate the difference between the groups in the mean per cent weight loss at 12 months. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial shall be conducted in full conformity with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and all subsequent revisions. Local research ethics approval was granted by London-Central Research Ethics Committee, (Reference 19/LO/0509) on 11 October 2019. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued the Letter of No Objection on 8 April 2022 (Reference CI/2022/0008/GB). The trial's development and progress are monitored by an independent trial steering committee and data monitoring and ethics committee. The researchers plan to disseminate results at conferences, in peer- reviewed journals as well as lay media and to patient organisations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN16158402.

Variations in the origin of the right gastric artery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The right gastric artery (RGA) supplies the lesser curvature of the stomach. The prevalence of variations in RGA origins can be of interests to students, surgeons, and radiologists who wish to increase their understanding of this vessel. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the origin of the RGA. METHODS: The PRISMA 2020 checklist was followed. Electronic databases, currently registered studies, conference proceedings and the reference lists of included studies were searched. There were no constraints based on language or publication status. Database search, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed independently by two authors. A random-effects meta-analysis of the prevalence of different RGA origins was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 9084 records were screened in the initial search. Fifteen studies were included, assessing 1971 right gastric arteries. The RGA arose most frequently from the Proper Hepatic Artery (PHA), with a pooled prevalence of 53.6% (95% CI 44.5-60.8%), followed by the Left Hepatic Artery (LHA) with a pooled prevalence of 25.9% (95% CI 18.6-32.8%), and the Gastroduodenal Artery (GDA) with a pooled prevalence of 8.89% (95% CI 4.62-13.9%). Less common origins were the Common Hepatic Artery (CHA) (6.86%, 95% CI 3.15-11.5%), the Right Hepatic Artery (RHA) (3.43%, 95% CI 0.93-7.04%), and Middle Hepatic Artery (MHA) (1.31%, 95% CI 0-3.44%). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides an accurate estimate of the prevalence of different RGA origins. Anatomical knowledge combined with pre-operative planning and imaging can prevent iatrogenic injury during surgery.

The posterior gastric artery: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

The aim of this study was to review the literature on the posterior gastric artery, estimate its prevalence and summarize its reported origins. The databases Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched to find all studies describing the prevalence and origin of the posterior gastric artery. Pooled prevalences were estimated using a random effects model. Thirty-eight studies with a total of 3366 subjects were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of the posterior gastric artery was 57.4% (95% CI = 49.1%-65.7%). The prevalence of the posterior gastric artery was significantly higher in surgical studies than in cadaveric and angiographic studies. There were no differences in prevalence between multi-detector computed tomography studies and cadaveric studies, nor were there differences when comparing geographical location or study size. Origin data were extracted from 34 studies, with a total of 1533 cases. The posterior gastric artery arose as a single vessel from the splenic artery in 1160 cases (pooled prevalence 86.5% [95% CI = 78.5%-94.7%]), from the superior polar splenic artery in 339 cases (pooled prevalence 11.8% [95% CI = 3.7%-19.9%]) and from other origins in 50 cases (pooled prevalence 0.27% [95% CI = 0.00-0.71%]). The posterior gastric artery is present in 57.4% of cases and most commonly arises from the splenic artery. It should be identified before gastric resections as it may be an important source of blood to the gastric stump. Multi-detector computed tomography has sufficient sensitivity to detect it before surgery.

Coil embolization of asymptomatic left gastric artery aneurysm: Case report and literature review.

Patients with visceral artery aneurysms are rare, and the reported incidence of left gastric aneurysm (LGA) is only 4%. At present, although there is little knowledge about such disease, it is generally believed that appropriate treatment should be planned to prevent some dangerous aneurysms from rupturing. We introduced a case of 83-year-old patient with LGA who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair. The 6-month follow-up computed tomography angiography showed complete thrombosis in the aneurysm lumen. In addition, to insight the management strategy on LGAs deeply, a literature review concerning this entity published in recent 35 years was performed.

Embolización de la arteria gástrica izquierda: un novedoso procedimiento para el tratamiento de la obesidad / Left gastric artery embolization: a novel procedure for the treatment of obesity

Introducción: La embolización de la arteria gástrica izquierda, es una técnica novedosa, mínimamente invasiva que se investiga como un método alternativo, a menudo complementario, para controlar el apetito y el peso corporal a través de la reducción de la secreción de la hormona grelina. Objetivo: Describir la seguridad y la eficacia de la embolización de la arteria gástrica izquierda, como procedimiento terapéutico para el tratamiento de la obesidad. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda de literatura relevante sobre el tema en el segundo semestre de 2019. Se utilizaron como buscadores de información científica a Pubmed y a Google Académico; se revisaron 54 artículos, de los cuales 36 fueron referenciados. Conclusiones: La seguridad y la eficacia de la embolización de la arteria gástrica izquierda como proceder terapéutico para el tratamiento de la obesidad fue aceptable en la mayoría de los estudios revisados; la escasez de la evidencia (pocos casos) y la falta de protocolos estandarizados para esta intervención, requieren de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados, con una muestra mayor de casos y a más largo plazo.

Introduction: left gastric artery embolization is a novel, minimally invasive technique that is being investigated as an alternative method, often complementary, to control appetite and body weight by means of reducing the secretion of the ghrelin hormone. Objective: to describe the safety and efficacy of left gastric artery embolization as a therapeutic procedure for the treatment of obesity. Methods: a review of the relevant literature on the subject was carried out in the second semester of 2019. Pubmed and Google Scholar were used as scientific information search engines; 54 articles were reviewed, of which 36 were referenced. Conclusions: the safety and efficacy of left gastric artery embolization as a therapeutic procedure for the treatment of obesity was acceptable in most of the reviewed studies; the lack of evidence (few cases) and standardized protocols for this intervention require randomized clinical trials, with a larger sample of cases and over a longer period of time.

Laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer with two left gastric arteries: Safe and adequate lymphadenectomy in a rare arterial abnormality.

Clinical studies have established the safety and advantages of laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer; therefore, laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) in clinical practice is increasing. We report the case of a 77-year-old patient with gastric cancer who was referred to our center for LG. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a type 3 tumor identified as adenocarcinoma on biopsy. Three-dimensional computed tomography-angiography revealed two left gastric arteries (LGAs) branching from the celiac trunk. By laparoscopically performing the outermost layer-oriented lymphadenectomy (OML-OL), the two LGAs were detected and appropriately divided. Subtotal gastrectomy was completed, and the patient had an uneventful postoperative course. The OML-OL was appropriate for LG in this situation. This case demonstrates the necessity of preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography-angiography with 1-mm slices and the importance of performing OML-OL.

Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Due to a Left Gastric Artery Pseudoaneurysm: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Left gastric artery (LGA) pseudoaneurysm presenting with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding is rare but fatal, unless treated. AIMS: We aimed to describe the clinical and endoscopic features of patients with UGI bleeding due to LGA pseudoaneurysms. METHODS: We performed a computerized search of our hospital's de-identified clinical data warehouse to identify patients with UGI bleeding due to an LGA pseudoaneurysm between 2000 and 2020. Patients' electronic medical records and data on esophagogastroduodenoscopy and digital subtraction angiography were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of 26 patients with an LGA pseudoaneurysm, six patients had UGI bleeding related to an LGA pseudoaneurysm. No patients had previous vascular diseases or pancreatitis. One patient had liver cirrhosis and a history of radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma, one had colon cancer, two had undergone abdominal surgeries, one had received chemoradiotherapy for renal cell carcinoma, and one had no intraabdominal diseases. Symptoms were hematemesis in two, hematochezia in the other two, and melena in the remaining two patients. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a pulsating bulge in the ulcer in two and a large Dieulafoy's lesion-like structure in four patients. All patients achieved hemostasis by angioembolization. CONCLUSION: LGA pseudoaneurysm should be suspected in UGI bleeding if a large Dieulafoy's lesion-like structure or a pulsating bulge in the ulcer is found at the lesser curvature of the gastric body on endoscopy and if the patient has any intra-abdominal inflammatory disease.

Successful Treatment of a Left Gastric Artery Pseudoaneurysm by Image Guided Percutaneous Thrombin Injection.

Visceral artery pseudoaneurysms are common complications of pancreatitis that carry a high mortality rate. The splenic artery is the commonest artery involved. Gastric artery pseudoaneurysms are less common with less than 50 cases reported in the literature. A 58-year-old female was referred to the Interventional Radiology department with a left gastric artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to acute pancreatitis. Initial Digital Subtraction Angiography revealed the pseudoaneurysm arising from the left gastric artery. Several attempts to cannulate the pseudoaneurysm were unsuccessful due to arterial spasm. Consequently, the left gastric artery proximal to the pseudoaneurysm was embolised with 300 microns of polyvinyl alcohol and two coils. 24 hours post-procedure, a computed tomography (CT) scan was performed which revealed a blush of contrast enhancement within the pseudoaneurysm sac, consistent with unsuccessful embolisation. Using a combination of ultrasound and cone beam CT guidance, a 22-gauge Chiba needle was advanced percutaneously via a transhepatic approach to the patent segment of the pseudoaneurysm. 2.5 ml of human thrombin was then injected directly into the pseudoaneurysm. Image guided injection of thrombin has become a well-recognised treatment for a variety of peripheral and visceral pseudoaneurysms and is often performed following a failed attempt of routine endovascular embolisation. We report the case of a patient affected by a pseudoaneurysm of the left gastric artery, treated with a CT guided percutaneous thrombin injection directly into the pseudoaneurysm. This demonstrates that percutaneous coagulation can be an adjunct or an alternative to endovascular embolisation.

A 47-Year-Old Man with Advanced Distal Pancreatic Carcinoma and an Initial Partial Response to Chemotherapy Requiring Celiac Axis Reconstruction of the Common Hepatic Artery and Left Gastric Artery.

BACKGROUND Distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac artery resection (DP-CAR) is a curative surgical method for locally advanced pancreatic body cancer; however, arterial reconstruction remains controversial in this procedure. This report presents the case of a 47-year-old man with advanced distal pancreatic carcinoma and initial partial response to chemotherapy who required celiac axis reconstruction of the common hepatic artery and left gastric artery. CASE REPORT A 47-year-old man had loss of appetite. He had a 40-mm hypovascular tumor extending from the pancreatic body to the tail, invading around the celiac artery, common hepatic artery, left gastric artery, and splenic artery. We initiated chemotherapy concurrent with chemo-radiotherapy with S-1 administration. After chemo-radiotherapy, computed tomography (CT) showed tumor shrinkage, indicating partial response, but soft tissue CT density surrounding the celiac axis arteries persisted. We conducted conversion surgery. When the common hepatic artery was clamped during surgery, the intrahepatic arterial blood flow reduced; thus, we reconstructed the middle hepatic artery to the common hepatic artery. The left gastric artery was also reconstructed using the second jejunal artery to prevent ischemic gastropathy. Histopathologic examination showed no tumor cells in the specimen; thus, R0 resection was achieved. CONCLUSIONS Arterial reconstruction can be an option for R0 resection in DP-CAR when hepatic arterial blood flow is reduced due to an intraoperative common hepatic artery clamping test.

Conservative management of gastric pneumatosis following left gastric artery embolisation.

Gastric pneumatosis, the presence of air within the stomach wall, is a very rare occurrence with poor outcomes. One of the most common mechanisms for gastric pneumatosis is gastric ischaemia, also a rare entity. Although patients with gastric ischaemia may require surgical intervention, they can often be treated with conservative measures such as a proton pump inhibitor, broad-spectrum antibiotics, nasogastric tube decompression, fluid resuscitation and total parenteral nutrition. We report a rare case of gastric ischaemia and pneumatosis following therapeutic left gastric artery argon plasma coagulation that was treated with conservative measures.

Robotic Distal Gastrectomy Reduces Drain Amylase Values in Patients With a Small Pancreas-left Gastric Artery Angle.

PURPOSE: Pancreatic fistula is a severe complication after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG). We previously evaluated the pancreas-left gastric artery angle (PLA) as a risk indicator for developing a pancreatic fistula after LDG. This study evaluated the incidence of pancreatic fistula with robotic distal gastrectomy (RDG) in comparison to LDG from the view of the PLA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An association between the PLA and the incidence of pancreatic fistula in 165 patients who underwent either RDG (n=45) or LDG (n=120) was investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: RDG patients had significantly lower drain amylase values (postoperative day 2) than LDG patients. As opposed to LDG patients, drain amylase values were similar for patients with small (PLA <62 degrees) and large (PLA ≥62 degrees) PLA in RDG patients. CONCLUSION: Robotic surgery may reduce the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula in patients with a small PLA.