Variability in the Origin of the Obturator Artery: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Cadaveric Study.

ABSTRACT

Background: Surgeons must be conscious of unexpected sources of hemorrhage, such as an aberrant obturator artery or vein, and unexpected iliopubic vessels and take appropriate precautions to avoid injury to these structures. Objective: Evaluating the incidence of normal and aberrant origin of the obturator artery and vein. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 human hemi-pelvises were taken including both the fresh cadavers arrived in mortuary with preserved pelvises in Department of Anatomy at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur. Laparotomy done with midline anterior incision up to the pubic symphysis and dissection carried out in the pelvic and retropubic region to expose the branches of the common iliac artery. Results: Obturator artery common originates from the anterior trunk of the internal iliac artery and less frequently from other branches of internal or external iliac artery. Abnormal communication found in 45.8% of hemi-pelvises which are mostly venous. Conclusion: Obturator artery the most common originates from anterior trunk of internal iliac artery. Abnormal venous communications (venous corona mortis) are a very common and knowledge of abnormal communications of obturator vessels is crucial for the different surgeries at pelvic region.