Safety & Efficacy of Ischemic Preconditioning by Embolization of the Inferior Mesenteric Artery in Surgery for Tumors of Lower and Middle Rectum

Embolization performed via a common right femoral or radial approach, depending on the patient's conformation. Minor complications such as hematoma at the puncture site are rare in less than 1% of cases, and serious complications are exceptional. Proximal occlusion of the inferior mesenteric artery, before its dividing branches, using material adapted to arterial occlusion according to anatomical findings. Proximal occlusion during embolization is evaluated by intravascular injection into the inferior mesenteric artery, and resumption of vascularization of the distal inferior mesenteric artery is controlled by the border arcade injecting into the superior mesenteric artery. In the event of a high-risk anatomical variant, or absence of a border arcade, no embolization will be performed and the patient will be excluded from the study; this will represent no more than 1-2% of patients (surgical series describing 0.83% of ischemia in connection with absence of a border arcade).

The interventional radiologist performs an arteriogram of the inferior and superior mesenteric arteries (IMA and SMA respectively) to check that the SMA is free of anomalies and that the IMA has a proximal trunk long enough for embolization. The radiologist also checks for the presence of a colonic border arcade. If this is absent, embolization will not be performed: the patient will be excluded from the study.This arteriogram is carried out under local anaesthetic specifically for research purposes, as follows: Common right femoral or radial approach and placement of a small introducer. Selective arteriogram of the inferior and superior mesenteric arteries to check perfusion of the border arcade.Arterial closure system or manual compression. Return to surgery or interventional radiology department. Patient discharged the same day after medical assessment (surgeon or interventional radiologist).Telephone check-up on Day1 (standard management) and Day 7 (added as part of the protocol).