[Tissue blood flow of the sigmoid colon for safe anastomosis following ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery].

We examined the tissue blood flow (TBF) of the sigmoid colon to determine which level of inferior mesenteric artery. In 13 patients, TBF of the sigmoid colon was measured in the control state and the clamped state, in which the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), left colic artery and the rectal were wall clamped. In the clamped state, means of TBF at 10 cm and 15 cm distal to the descend-sigmoid junction were 1.87 +/- 0.77 and 1.10 +/- 0.40, respectively. Mean of TBF at 15 cm was significantly lower than that at 10 cm. In conclusion, TBF which is enough for safe anastomosis reaches as far as 10 cm distal from the descend-sigmoid junction after ligation of IMA. Anastomosis at this level in anterior resection of the rectum is safe in concerning with TBF.