Optimal Inferior Mesenteric Artery Ligation in Colorectal Cancer Surgery

In colorectal cancer surgery, the debate about whether to perform high or low ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) continues. This study compared the outcomes of both approaches and examined the extent of lymph node dissection of the IMA. The results, after matching patient groups, showed that high ligation was associated with better recurrence-free survival. However, it’s crucial to ensure thorough lymph node dissection even with high ligation. Positive IMA lymph nodes were linked to advanced cancer stages, and the location of IMA lymph node recurrences differed between the two ligation groups.