STUDY OF LATERAL CIRCUMFLEX FEMORAL ARTERY

Background: Lateral circumflex femoral artery is a one of most important branch of Profunda femoris artery. It is an artery supplying blood to the head and neck of the femur and form anastomosis around upper part of femur. In many cases artery is useful for bypass surgery like aortopopliteal bypass, anterolateral thigh flap, coronary bypass surgery. Hence the knowledge of variations of artery and its branches are useful during operations such as total hip arthroplasty and other surgery to prevent haemorrhage and other complications. Methods: The present study includes 102 lower limbs of adult formalin fixed human cadavers used for the routine dissection procedure for under graduate and post graduate students in the department of Anatomy, M.R. Medical College, KBN Medical college and H K E Homeopathic College, Gulbarga during 2011-2014.The study was done by dissection method as per Cunningham’s manual of practical Anatomy. Results: The origin of lateral circumflex femoral artery from profunda femoral artery on lateral aspect was observed in 82 limbs (80.38%).Origin of lateral circumflex femoral artery from femoral artery having common stem with Profunda femoris artery were observed in 11 limbs (10.78%).Origin of lateral circumflex femoral artery from femoral artery were observed in 7 limbs (7.8%). Conclusion: Concluding and comparison of our study and past studies, all knowledge of the normal anatomy and variations of the site of origin and course of the LCF artery is not only surgical importance during vascular diagnostic intervention and surgeries but also helps in reducing the chances of intra-operative secondary haemorrhage and post-operative complications.