ReviewLife (Basel, Switzerland)2026
Anatomical Variations of the Splenic Artery: Clinical and Surgical Implications-A Systematic Review.
Review in Life (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe splenic artery exhibits considerable anatomical variability in its origin, course, and branching pattern, with important implications for upper abdominal surgery. However, existing evidence remains fragmented across anatomical, radiological, and clinical studies.
objectiveThis systematic review aimed to synthesise current evidence on anatomical variations in the splenic artery and evaluate their surgical implications in upper abdominal procedures.
methodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Studies reporting anatomical variations in the splenic artery identified through cadaveric dissection, radiological imaging, or intraoperative findings were included. Data were extracted on origin, course, branching pattern, and accessory arteries, along with reported surgical implications. Methodological quality varied across study designs, with radiological and clinical studies generally demonstrating lower risk of bias than descriptive cadaveric investigations.
resultsSeventeen studies involving 4301 subjects and specimens were included, encompassing cadaveric, radiological, and clinical investigations. The splenic artery most commonly originates from the celiac trunk, although less common origins from the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery have been reported. A suprapancreatic course was predominant, but retropancreatic and intrapancreatic variations were consistently documented. The artery frequently exhibited a tortuous configuration, and branching patterns were highly variable, with terminal bifurcation being most common. Segmental and polar arteries, as well as variations in gastric branches, were frequently observed. These vascular variations may influence operative complexity and increase the risk of intraoperative vascular injury, particularly during pancreatic, gastric, and splenic procedures.
conclusionsThe splenic artery exhibits substantial anatomical variability with direct implications for surgical planning and outcomes. Preoperative vascular assessment using advanced imaging techniques may improve surgical safety in upper abdominal procedures.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.