A cadaveric study of the testicular artery and its clinical significance
Um estudo da artéria testicular em cadáveres e sua relevância clínica
Sushma R. Kotian, Arvind Kumar Pandey, Supriya Padmashali, Judith Jaison, Sneha Guruprasad Kalthur
Abstract
Background: Knowledge of testicular artery variations is vital to ensure that they are not neglected during a variety of different operative techniques, since damage can cause testicular atrophy. Objectives: The present study was therefore intended to identify variants in the origin and course of the testicular arteries. An attempt was made to classify the arteries based on their various origins. Methods: This study examined 42 formalin-fixed cadavers of 40 to 70-year-old adult males. Variant origins of the testicular artery were identified and classified. Variations in the origin and course of the artery were colored, photographed, and documented. The distances between the origins of the testicular arteries and the mid-points of the origins of the renal arteries were measured. Results: Testicular arteries were classified into four categories on the basis of origin. This variability was defined in relation to the renal and inferior mesenteric arteries. The mean distance between the origin of the testicular artery and the mid-point of the origin of the renal artery were 3.08 and 3.47 cm, on the right and left sides respectively. Variations were almost exclusively found on the left side. The variations observed included multiple arterial twigs forming the testicular artery, suprarenal arteries arising from the testicular artery, and testicular artery duplication. Conclusion: This study provides an insight into variations in the testicular artery and proposes a classification which could help surgeons during a variety of procedures on the male abdomen and pelvis.
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Resumo
Contexto: O conhecimento de variações da artéria testicular é vital para assegurar que essas artérias não serão negligenciadas durante a realização de diferentes técnicas operatórias, já que qualquer dano poderia causar atrofia testicular. Objetivos: Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar variações na origem e no trajeto das artérias testiculares. Foi feita uma tentativa de classificar as artérias com base em suas diferentes origens. Métodos: Este estudo examinou 42 cadáveres de adultos do sexo masculino com idade entre 40 e 70 anos preservados em formol. As diferentes origens da artéria testicular foram identificadas e classificadas. Variações na origem e no trajeto da artérias foram coloridas, fotografadas e documentadas. Foram medidas as distâncias entre a origem das artérias testiculares e o ponto médio da origem das artérias renais. Resultados: As artérias testiculares foram classificadas em quatro categorias com base em sua origem. Essa variabilidade foi definida com relação às artérias renal e mesentérica inferior. A distância média entre a origem da artéria testicular e o ponto médio da origem da artéria renal foi de 3,08 e 3,47 cm nos lados direito e esquerdo, respectivamente. As variações foram encontradas quase exclusivamente no lado esquerdo. As variações observadas incluíram múltiplos ramúsculos formando a artéria testicular, artérias suprarrenais surgindo a partir da artéria testicular, e duplicação da artéria testicular. Conclusão: Este estudo traz informações sobre variações da artéria testicular e propõe uma classificação que poderia ajudar os cirurgiões durante diferentes procedimentos realizados no abdome e na pelve de pacientes do sexo masculino.
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