The mesocolon – A histological and electron microscopic characterisation of the mesenteric attachment of the colon prior to and after surgical mobilisation

摘要

Aims: Colonic mobilisation requires separation of mesocolon from underlying fascia. Despite the surgical importance of planes formed by thesestructures, no study has formally characterised their microscopic features.The aim of this study was to determine the histological and electronmicroscopic appearance of mesocolon, fascia and retroperitoneum, priorto and after colonic mobilisation.Methods: In 24 cadavers, samples were taken from right, transverse,descending and sigmoid mesocolon. In twelve cadavers specimens werestained with haematoxylin and eosin (3 sections), or Masson's trichrome(3 sections). In the second twelve cadavers, lymphatic channels wereidentified by staining immunohistochemically for podoplanin. Theascending mesocolon was assessed with scanning electron microscopy.The above process was firstly conducted with the mesocolon in-situ. Themesocolon was then surgically mobilised and the process repeated onremaining structures.