The arterial distribution and size of greater omentum

Abstract

The greater omentum (omentum gastrocolica) is a 'filmy apron draped over the transverse colon and the coils of the small intestine. Clinical uses of the omentum have increased in recent years as it is a unique structure being highly vascular. Intact omentum have been used for a. variety of clinical reasons which have included attempts to increase blood flow to the ischemic heart, brain and legs, to prevent or repair vesicovaginal fistulas, to protect at operation previously irradiated pelvic organs, to treat lymphedema of an extremity and hydrocephalus, to repair radionecrosis of chest wall or flexion creases for reconstruction of the breast and to protect a previously irradiated carotid artery after radical neck dissection. The arterial structure of omentum influences the manner in which the omentum can be lenthened. Also it is important to know the omental limits before laparotomy. The main aim of the present investigation is not only to determine the range of length and width of the omentum, but also to correlate them with the height of the person so that one is able to predict the size, within limits, before laparatomy. In this study, involving a series of 107 cases, the size of omentum was determined and the types of vascularity were assessed. Correlations between height and omental width, patients' height and omental length were calculated.