Anatomic Asymmetry of Iliolumbar Artery in Goan Population: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Haemorrhage is one of the most common complications in laparoscopic pelvic and para-aortic surgeries thus making variant anatomy of Iliolumbar Artery (ILA) important as it is one of the vessels leading to haemorrhage. Aim: To study variant anatomy of ILA and its morphometric analysis. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done over a period of five months from January 2020 to May 2020. Twenty- seven-formalin fixed human pelvises were dissected in iliolumbar region in the dissection hall of the Department of Anatomy, Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Goa, India. Point of origin of Iliolumbar Artery (ILA), its length before its branches, distance from the branching of Internal Iliac Artery (IIA) and Common Iliac Artery (CIA) trunk were evaluated. The length of these vessels was measured by using a thread and a vernier caliper (sensitive to 0.1 mm) by following their curves. Results: The ILA was found to originate from IIA (trunk) in twenty-one (38.89%); from posterior division of the IIA in eight (14.81%); at the division of IIA in fifteen (27.78%); from CIA (trunk) in two (3.70%) and was not traceable (was not found branching from IIA) in eight (14.81%) specimen. Mean length of ILA when originating from posterior division of IIA was 1.36±0.44 cm; when originating from IIA (trunk) was 1.53±0.46 cm and when originating at the division of IIA was 1.64±0.67 cm. Mean distance of ILA from IIA if ILA originates from IIA (trunk) was 2.27±0.81 cm and if ILA originates from posterior division of IIA was 1.23±0.57 cm. Mean distance of ILA from CIA (trunk) if ILA originates from IIA (trunk) was 2.53±1.07 cm, if ILA originates from posterior division of IIA was 3.95±1.06 cm. Conclusion: Knowledge of anatomy and variations of the ILA to the modern day laparoscopic surgeons, orthopaedic spine surgeons and vascular surgeons will immensely help in safe surgical outcomes.