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Published in: Surgery Today 3/2018

01-03-2018 | Original Article

Spatial relationships of the bronchial arteries to the left recurrent laryngeal nerve in the sub-aortic arch area

Authors: Ken Hayasaka, Hajime Ishida, Ryosuke Kimura, Tadashi Nishimaki

Published in: Surgery Today | Issue 3/2018

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Abstract

Purpose

To safely perform lymphadenectomy in the sub-aortic arch area during esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, we investigated the spatial relationships between the bronchial arteries (BAs) and the left recurrent laryngeal nerve (LRLN).

Methods

For this macro-anatomical study, 72 cadavers were used.

Results

Of the 195 dissected BAs, 15 (7.7%) arteries ran dorsally across the LRLN. Such a running pattern of the BA was found in 15 (20.8%) of the 72 cadavers. Fourteen (93.3%) of the 15 arteries ran anteriorly along the left side of the esophagus, and 13 (86.7%) passed further to the lateral side of the left main bronchus to reach the ventral surface of the tracheobronchus; we named this running pattern “Type III”. Of the 51 arteries with the Type III pattern, 25.5% ran across the dorsal side of the LRLN.

Conclusion

Approximately 20% of the cadavers had BAs running dorsally to the LRLN in the sub-aortic arch area. Most of these arteries had the Type III pattern. One-quarter of the BAs with the Type III pattern showed this running pattern. Care must be practiced to safely perform lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer in patients with Type III BAs.
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Metadata
Title
Spatial relationships of the bronchial arteries to the left recurrent laryngeal nerve in the sub-aortic arch area
Authors
Ken Hayasaka
Hajime Ishida
Ryosuke Kimura
Tadashi Nishimaki
Publication date
01-03-2018
Publisher
Springer Singapore
Published in
Surgery Today / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 0941-1291
Electronic ISSN: 1436-2813
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-017-1593-8

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