Chee S S, Godfrey C D, Hurteau J A, Schilder J M, Rothenberg J M, Hurd W W
Department of Radiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA.
J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc. 1998 Nov;5(4):385-8. doi: 10.1016/s1074-3804(98)80052-2.
To establish the location of the transverse colon in relationship to the umbilicus, and determine if it varies as a function of patient height or weight.
Retrospective review of computed tomograms (CT) of the abdomen (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).
University hospital.
Sixty-seven women with normal abdominal anatomy.
Review of abdominal CT scans.
The relative relationships of the transverse colon and umbilicus were compared with age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI = kg/m2) using multiple regression analysis. Average location of the superior margin of the transverse colon was 4.6 cm (95% CI 3.5-5.7 cm) above the umbilicus. In nine (13%) women it was below the umbilicus. The colon was below the umbilicus in 25% of nonobese women (BMI <25 kg/m2).
Because the transverse colon lies below the umbilicus in more than 10% of women, injury to it may be an uncommon yet unavoidable complication of laparoscopy.
