Angiographic evaluation of the anatomical distribution of the blood supply of the splenic flexure of the colon in a Chilean population

Abstract

Objective: To identify the vascular distribution patterns of the splenic flexure of the colon (AEC) in the Chilean population for comparison with the oriental literature (Fukuoka).

Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. The irrigation of the AEC of images with the Urotac protocol performed at the INDISA Clinic between 2020 and 2021 (n = 127) was characterized, classifying them into 6 types described by Fukuoka. Demographic characteristics and comorbidities were evaluated. Variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics and significance using the Chi2 test.

Results: There are differences in the types of irrigation of the AEC between the local series and Fukuoka, irrigation type 3 was the one that presented the greatest variation (p < 0.05). Type 1 is the most frequent (34.7%), with no cases of Type 4. No difference was identified between the different types of irrigation in relation to demographic variables and comorbidities.

Discussion: When comparing our series with the eastern one, a similar frequency was found in types 1 and 6, higher in types 3 and 5, and types 2 and 4 with less representation. A greater contribution was identified in the irrigation of the AEC by the left colic artery (ICA) in the population studied (64.6%).

Conclusion: Our population has a greater participation of ICA in AEC irrigation than Orientals (64.6% vs 49.6%), the most frequent types are 1, 3 and 6, Type 1 is the most frequent form of irrigation, similar to Fukuoka (34.7% vs 39.7%), Type 3 is more represented in our population than in the eastern one (29.9% vs 9.9%).