title: Vascular and ureteral anatomy relative to the midsacral promontory.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to further characterize the vascular and ureteral anatomy relative to the midsacral promontory, a landmark often used during sacrocolpopexy, and suggest strategies to avoid complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Distances between the right ureter, aortic bifurcation, and iliac vessels to the midsacral promontory were examined in 25 unembalmed female cadavers and 100 computed tomography (CT) studies. Data were analyzed using Pearson χ(2), unpaired Student t test, and analysis of covariance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average distance between the midsacral promontory and right ureter was 2.7 cm (range, 1.6-3.8 cm) in cadavers and 2.9 cm (range, 1.7-5.0 cm) on CT (P = .209). The closest cephalad vessel to the promontory was the left common iliac vein, the average distance being 2.7 cm (range, 0.95-4.75 cm) in cadavers and 3.0 cm (range, 1.0-6.1 cm) on CT (P = .289). The closest vessel to the right of the promontory was the internal iliac artery, with the average distance of 2.5 cm (range, 1.4-3.9 cm) in cadavers and 2.2 cm (range, 1.2-3.9 cm) on CT (P = .015). The average distance from the promontory to the aortic bifurcation was 5.3 cm (range, 2.8-9.7 cm) in cadavers and 6.6 cm (range, 3.1-10.1 cm) on CT (P < .001). The average distance from the aortic bifurcation to the inferior margin of the left common iliac vein was 2.3 cm (range, 1.2-3.9 cm) in cadavers and 3.5 cm (range, 1.7-5.6 cm) on CT (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The right ureter, right common iliac artery, and left common iliac vein are found within 3 cm from the midsacral promontory. A thorough understanding of the extensive variability in vascular and ureteral anatomy relative to the midsacral promontory should help avoid serious intraoperative complications during sacrocolpopexy.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9032, USA.
authors: Meadow M
authors: MM
authors: Good
authors: Travis A
authors: TA
authors: Abele
authors: Sunil
authors: S
authors: Balgobin
authors: T Ignacio
authors: TI
authors: Montoya
authors: Donald
authors: D
authors: McIntire
authors: Marlene M
authors: MM
authors: Corton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D007084:Iliac Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D012447:Sacrum / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014513:Ureter / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000601:surgery