Vascular anatomy for rotational acetabular osteotomy: cadaveric study

Rotational acetabular osteotomies are performed to correct dysplastic hips in young adults. However, there is a potential risk of intrapelvic vascular injury. To define the relation of these vascular structures to the bone around the acetabulum, we measured the distance and direction from the anteroinferior iliac spine to the external iliac artery and from the base of the superior pubic ramus to the obturator artery in 34 cadaveric hemipelves (17 male, 17 female; 19 left, 15 right). The distance to the external iliac artery was significantly shorter in females (average 31.7 mm) than in males (average 38.2 mm); and the distance to the intrapelvic entry portal of the obturator canal, through which the obturator artery passes, was significantly shorter in females (average 27.2 mm) than in males (average 33.4 mm). In addition, the external iliac artery was located significantly more ventral and closer to the anteroinferior iliac spine in right hemipelves than in left hemipelves. The intrapelvic entry portal of the obturator canal was located more caudodorsal to the base of the superior pubic ramus in females than in males. Care should thus be taken during surgery in light of our findings.