[The ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves. The anatomic bases in preventing postoperative neuropathies after appendectomy, inguinal herniorraphy, caesareans].
OBJECTIVE
To identify danger areas in surgical incisions (appendectomy, inguinal and Pfannenstiel incisions) by mapping the course of ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves.


METHODS
The courses of the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves from 37 unembalmed adult cadavers were mapped from their lateral emergence on the internal obliquus nerve to their midline termination in reference to anatomic landmarks (anterior superior iliac spine, midline, upper border of the pubic symphysis). With use of a mapping technique, the standard courses of both nerves were compared with sites of standard abdominal surgical incisions.


RESULTS
Sixty seven ilioinguinal and sixty four iliohypogastric nerves were identified and mapped. On average the ilioinguinal nerve perforated the internal obliquus muscles 3.30 cm medial and 3.27 inferior to the anterior superior iliac spine, and terminated its course 2.50 cm lateral to the midline and 1.92 cm superior to the upper border of the pubic symphysis. On average the iliohypogastric nerve perforated the internal obliquus muscles 2.30 cm medial and 1.20 cm inferior to the anterior superior iliac spine, and terminated its course 3.10 cm lateral to the midline and 4,80 cm superior to the upper border of the pubic symphysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical incisions performed below the level of the anterior superior iliac spine carry the risk of injury to the ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves.
Okiemy
G
G
Laboratoire d'Anatomie, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, CHU de Brazzaville, Congo. okiemyisseret50@yahoo.fr
Ele
N
N
Odzebe
A S
AS
Chocolat
R
R
Massengo
R
R
D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002102:Cadaver; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007001:Hypogastric Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult