The course of the obturator artery following passage through the obturator foramen into the thigh

The variability of the obturator artery inside the pelvis is well known; however in the thigh only two branches encircling the obturator foramen are described. With the evolution of minimally invasive trans-obturator approaches to pelvic surgery the anatomy in this area needs to be better understood. Trans-obturator approach has been shown clinically more effective and less invasive treatment for urinary stress incontinence; however it may be associated with vascular complications. To describe, confirm and measure the branches of the obturator artery following passage through the obturator foramen using a single human cadaver, dissection of the course of the obturator artery from its passage through the obturator foramen in the right groin was performed (figure 1).