Purpose: Intraoperative ultrasound was used to assess the flow velocity in the marginal vessel arch adjacent to the anastomosis, critical for evaluating the anastomotic blood supply. This technique also enabled us to investigate the potential effects of preserving the left colonic artery on the perfusion of the anastomosis.
Methods: This prospective study included 40 rectal cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic anterior resection between January 2021 and January 2023.