Corona mortis in Thai

Abstract

The vascular connection between the obturator and the inferior epigastric/external iliac vessels was described as corona mortis. Abnormal obturator artery arising from the inferior epigastric/external iliac artery was referred to as arterial corona mortis. Both arterial and venous corona mortis pass over the iliopubic ramus and can be injured in pelvic injuries and in pelvic surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of arterial and venous corona mortis in Thai. Two hundred and four Thai pelvic halves with an age range of 20–95 years were dissected. The origins of the obturator artery and the vascular connection between the obturator and the inferior epigastric/external iliac vessels (corona mortis) were studied. We found that 22.5% had the abnormal obturator arteries arising from the inferior epigastric arteries. Double origins (from the internal and external iliac arteries) at one pelvic half were found in 5.4%. Bilateral abnornal origins (from the inferior epigastric arteries) were found in 9.9%. The incidence of the abnormal obturator arteries comparing between the sexes and between the sides were not significantly different. The incidence of the arterial and venous corona mortis were 22.5% and 70.6% respectively. The arterial corona mortis while crossing over the iliopubic ramus was often found anterior to the venous corona mortis. In conclusion, the incidence of the venous corona mortis was much higher than the arterial corona mortis (70.6% and 22.5% respectively). Their courses while crossing over the iliopubic rami were highly risky for being damaged during the ilioinguinal approach or operation on the anterior ring of the pelvis.