A study of variations of origin of obturator artery: Review in south Indian population

Abstract

IntroductionObturator artery is usually derived from the anterior division of internal iliac artery. It is the most variable vessel among the branches of the internal iliac artery. This variable course of obturator artery is responsible for vascular injury during laparoscopic herniorrhaphy. Material and methodsThe present prospective study was conducted on 30 pelvic halves from formaldehyde preserved cadavers and was dissected in the Department of Anatomy, MIMS, Mandya, and origin of the obturator artery was noted. ResultOut of 30 specimens, obturator artery has following origin: 66.6% of anterior division, 20% of posterior division, 10% from the external iliac artery and 3.3% from both external iliac and internal iliac arteries. DiscussionObviously the variation in the origin of obturator artery had always been a curious topic not only throughout history of anatomic literature but also among surgeons and radiologists. Most of the time it originates from the anterior division of internal iliac artery. But it originated from the posterior division in significant numbers as in our study.