Vascular Coloration for Anatomical Study of the Pelvis and Hip: Implications in Hip Preservation Surgery

Abstract

Hip preservation surgical techniques have steadily increased in the recent past. Therefore, precise knowledge of the vascular system of the hip and pelvis is critical for avoidance of possibly devastating complications during surgery. A colored latex injection in the common iliac artery of cadavers allows for a complete staining of the hip and pelvis vascular system. This technique creates more resilient vessels, whereas coloration with dye causes the vessels to be highly visible in comparison with the surrounding tissue. The proposed colored latex-dye solution injection allows for complete identification of the circulatory system of the lower extremity with specific focus on the hip and pelvis. This technique is simple, reproducible, and easily usable by orthopaedic surgeons in the laboratory to better understand the vascularization of the lower limb. The purpose of this technical note is to describe our technique for the injection of latex-dye solution in the common iliac artery, followed by dissection to key vascular structures of the hip and pelvis.