Review Question - QID 108783

In order to remove part of the greater curvature of the stomach, the surgeon will have to ligate the left gastroepiploic artery. This artery supplies the middle aspect of the greater curvature of the stomach and is derived from the splenic artery

A sleeve gastrectomy is an increasingly common surgical weight-loss procedure in which a large portion of the stomach is removed to permanently reduce the size of the stomach. The procedure generally involves removal of much of the greater curvature of the stomach, in order to do this safely you must ligate its blood supply. This includes cutting the left gastroepiploic artery which supplies the middle and superior aspects of the greater curvature. This artery is derived from the splenic artery which branches off the celiac trunk. The right gastroepiploic artery branches off from the gastroduodenal artery to supply the inferior portions of the greater curvature. These two arteries have a strong anastomosis. The short gastric arteries also branch from the splenic artery to supply the upper portion of the greater curvature and the fundus.

Incorrect Answers:
Answer 1: The left gastric artery is one of the three main branches of the celiac trunk. In addition to supplying the superior aspect of the lesser curvature of the stomach, it also gives rise to esophageal branches that supply the distal esophagus.

Answer 2: The right gastric artery branches from the proper hepatic artery. It supplies the more inferior portion of the lesser curvature and anastomoses with the left gastric artery.

Answer 3: The right gastroepiploic artery branches off the gastroduodenal artery and supplies the inferior portion of the greater curvature.

Answer 4: The gastroduodenal artery is derived from the common hepatic artery. It supplies the greater curvature via the right gastroepiploic artery and the pylorus and proximal duodenum via the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery.

Bullet Summary:
The left gastroepiploic artery branches off the splenic artery. It supplies the greater curvature of the stomach and needs to be ligated during sleeve gastrectomy procedures.