Lateral femoral circumflex artery contribution to the articular and periarticular hip circulation: relevance to the anterior hip approach - a cadaveric study
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Date
2023-07
Publication Type
Journal Article
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yes
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Abstract
Background
The purpose of this cadaveric study was to anatomically demonstrate the contribution of the lateral femoral circumflex artery (LFCA) to the articular and peri-articular hip circulation with an emphasis on the vascularization of hip abductors specially tensor fasciae latae muscle (TFLM).
Methods and materials
Thirty hips from 26 fresh cadavers were dissected after injection of the aorta or common iliac artery by colored silicon, to study the contribution of the LFCA to the articular and periarticular hip circulation. Furthermore, the aorta was injected in another 18 fresh cadavers after unilaterally ligating the ascending branch of the LFCA (a-LFCA) as the vascular pedicle of the TFLM, to evaluate the collateral circulation to the TFLM, if available.
Results
In all specimens but one, the a-LFCA was found as the single major vascular pedicle of the TFLM. When ligated, only 4 out of 18 hips demonstrated colored cast vessels in the cut surface of the muscle. The ascending branch had also consistent but variable contribution to the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles in 80% of the hips. Furthermore, the a-LFCA consistently supplied the anterior and anterolateral aspects of the hip capsule. In 35% of hips, the a-LFCA contributed to the femoral head and neck circulation via one or two small anterior retinacular arteries.
Conclusion
LFCA contribution to the articular and periarticular hip circulation is only delivered by the ascending branch. The TFLM is specially perfused by the a-LFCA; its ligation significantly decreases the muscle perfusion. It is poorly supplied by the collateral circulation.
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Volume
33 (5)
Pages / Article No.
1547 - 1555
Publisher
Springer
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Subject
Hip vascular anatomy; Lateral femoral circumflex artery (LFCA); Total hip arthroplasty (THA); Direct anterior approach (DAA); Tensor fasciae latae muscle (TFLM)