Defining minimal clearances for adequate lymphatic resection relevant to right colectomy for cancer: a post-mortem study.

Background: There has been a lengthy discussion on the extent of lymphatic resection for right-sided colon cancer and the central borders of the mesentery that are not yet defined. The objectives of this study are to define minimal clearances for adequate lymphatic resection in regard to colic artery origins and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and vein (SMV) relevant to right colectomy.

Methods: Central mesenteric lymph vessels, nodes, and blood vessels were dissected in 16 cadavers.