To ensure easy approximation of the open ends of the large bowel, especially if the lesion is located near the splenic flexure, it is necessary to free the intestine from adjacent structures. The abdominal incision may have to be extended up to the costal margin, since exposure of the uppermost portion of the splenic flexure may be difficult. After the relatively avascular peritoneal attachments to the descending colon have been divided, it is necessary to free the splenic flexure from the diaphragm, spleen, and stomach. The splenocolic ligament is divided between curved clamps, and the contents are ligated to avoid possible injury to the spleen, with troublesome hemorrhage (Figure 15). Following this, a pair of curved clamps is applied to the gastrocolic ligament for the necessary distance required to mobilize the bowel or remove sufficient intestine beyond the growth. Sometimes, in the presence of growths in this area, it is necessary to carry the division adjacent to the greater curvature of the stomach. The surgeon should not hesitate to remove a portion of the left gastroepiploic artery, if indicated, since the stomach has such a good collateral blood supply. In some instances, a true phrenocolic ligament can be developed, which must be divided to free the splenic flexure (Figure 16).