From anatomy to laparoscopic surgery, or how to reconcile surgeons to embryology

Purpose With the development of laparoscopy, new surgical techniques for colon resection were required. New anatomic plans of dissection were described for laparoscopic technique (medial to lateral approach) and the surgeons had to learn a complete different anatomy known as “laparoscopic anatomy”. To help the surgeon through the milestones of laparoscopic colon resection, we propose an embryological and anatomical analysis of the changes of the colon and peritoneum during the foetal period to highlight the laparoscopic approach and surgical landmarks. Methods Seventeen human foetuses, age ranged from 7½ to 33 weeks were studied by dissections and histology. Three adult cadavers underwent laparoscopic colon surgery. Results Photographic representations of surgical views are displayed, and detailed descriptions applicable to anatomical structures are presented. Conclusion Understanding the changes in the colon and peritoneum morphology leads to a clarification of the surgical technique for laparoscopic colon surgery.