title: Sonographic localization of abdominal vessels in Chinese women: its role in laparoscopic surgery.
abstract: Trauma to abdominal wall blood vessels occurs following 0.2-2% of laparoscopic operations. This prospective observational study assessed the possible role of sonographic localization of abdominal blood vessels prior to laparoscopic surgery in Chinese women and compared the findings reported in a Western group. The inferior epigastric and superficial circumflex iliac vessels were located by color Doppler imaging. Ultrasonography was 100% and 80% successful in locating the inferior epigastric and the superficial circumflex iliac vessels, respectively. The positions of the inferior epigastric vessels were similar to those reported in the Western population whilst the superficial circumflex iliac vessels were found to be situated 1 cm more medially. In our study population, a safe area for entry of lateral ports appeared to be 7 cm from the midline and 5 cm above the pubic symphysis. Sonographic localization of abdominal blood vessels is a potentially useful clinical tool in the prevention of blood vessel trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Pun
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Chau
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019074:Epigastric Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007084:Iliac Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color