Location of the transverse colon in relationship to the umbilicus: Implications for laparoscopic techniques

Abstract Study Objective. To establish the location of the transverse colon in relationship to the umbilicus, and determine if it varies as a function of patient height or weight. Design. Setting. University hospital. Patients. Sixty-seven women with normal abdominal anatomy. Intervention. Review of abdominal CT scans. Measurements and Main Results. Conclusion. Because the transverse colon lies below the umbilicus in more than 10% of women, injury to it may be an uncommon yet unavoidable complication of laparoscopy.