The Trunk of Henle and Belcher’s Vein: Important Venous Landmarks in Robot-Assisted Pancreatoduodenectomy

<b>Background:</b> The Trunk of Henle and the posterosuperior pancreaticoduodenal vein (Belcher's Vein) are consistent anatomical landmarks of the portomesenteric venous system. Their recognition is particularly relevant in robot-assisted pancreatoduodenectomy (RAPD), where uncinate process dissection from the portal-mesenteric axis represents the most technically demanding step. <b>Methods:</b> We describe a stepwise robotic surgical approach emphasizing the identification, isolation, and safe division of the Trunk of Henle and Belcher's Vein. Intraoperative illustrations are provided to demonstrate the use of these veins as reproducible landmarks during dissection of the pancreatic head and uncinate process. <b>Results:</b> Incorporating these veins as key reference points facilitates precise dissection, improves vascular control, and minimizes intraoperative bleeding. Their consistent anatomical presence allows systematization of the uncinate process approach and reliable exposure of the portal-mesenteric axis. <b>Conclusions:</b> The Trunk of Henle and Belcher's Vein serve as valuable venous landmarks in RAPD. Their routine identification may improve surgical safety, reduce conversion risk, and contribute to a standardized, reproducible methodology for robotic pancreatic head resection.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2025-08-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14176144
Primary Topic
Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research
Type
article
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article

The Trunk of Henle and Belcher’s Vein: Important Venous Landmarks in Robot-Assisted Pancreatoduodenectomy

Alessandro Bonomi, Marc G. Besselink, Miguel Ángel Gómez‐Bravo, E. Barzola et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research
article

The Trunk of Henle and Belcher’s Vein: Important Venous Landmarks in Robot-Assisted Pancreatoduodenectomy

Alessandro Bonomi, Marc G. Besselink, Miguel Ángel Gómez‐Bravo, E. Barzola, Jordi Navinés, Esteban Cugat
article en

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> The Trunk of Henle and the posterosuperior pancreaticoduodenal vein (Belcher's Vein) are consistent anatomical landmarks of the portomesenteric venous system. Their recognition is particularly relevant in robot-assisted pancreatoduodenectomy (RAPD), where uncinate process dissection from the portal-mesenteric axis represents the most technically demanding step. <b>Methods:</b> We describe a stepwise robotic surgical approach emphasizing the identification, isolation, and safe division of the Trunk of Henle and Belcher's Vein. Intraoperative illustrations are provided to demonstrate the use of these veins as reproducible landmarks during dissection of the pancreatic head and uncinate process. <b>Results:</b> Incorporating these veins as key reference points facilitates precise dissection, improves vascular control, and minimizes intraoperative bleeding. Their consistent anatomical presence allows systematization of the uncinate process approach and reliable exposure of the portal-mesenteric axis. <b>Conclusions:</b> The Trunk of Henle and Belcher's Vein serve as valuable venous landmarks in RAPD. Their routine identification may improve surgical safety, reduce conversion risk, and contribute to a standardized, reproducible methodology for robotic pancreatic head resection.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 14(17)
Amsterdam University Medical Centers (NL), Azienda Ospedaliera di Desio e Vimercate (IT), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío (ES), Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (ES), Cancer Center Amsterdam (NL), Universitat de Barcelona (ES), Universidad de Sevilla (ES), University of Amsterdam (NL)
Openalex Percentile: Top 68%
Pancreatic and Hepatic Oncology Research
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