title: Vascular anatomy over the superior pubic rami in female cadavers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to characterize the vascular anatomy over the superior pubic ramus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Detailed dissections of the retropubic space were performed in 15 fresh female cadavers. Vessels crossing the superior pubic rami were inspected for width, course, communications, and relationship to the midline of the pubic symphysis and the obturator canal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vessels 1 mm or greater in width connecting the obturator vessels and inferior epigastric or external iliac vessels were noted in 10 of 15 (66.7%) cadavers: 9 (60%) had veins, 5 (33.3 %) had arteries, and 4 (26.7%) had both. In all specimens, the vessels crossed over the superior pubic rami lateral to or at the level of the obturator canal, which was on average 5.4 cm from the midline of the pubic symphysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Communicating vessels crossing the superior pubic rami were present in the majority of specimens. Understanding this anatomy should aid the surgeon in avoiding vascular complications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Drewes
authors.forename: Spyridon I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Marinis
authors.forename: Joseph I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Schaffer
authors.forename: Muriel K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Boreham
authors.forename: Marlene M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Corton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007084:Iliac Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000098:blood supply; D010388:Pelvis / Q000098:blood supply*; D011631:Pubic Symphysis / Q000098:blood supply*