Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to define the incidence, location, and dimensions of
aberrant,retropubic, anastomosing arteries or veins, the corona mortis, that connect the
external iliac and obturator vessels and determine whether they interfere with the clinical
approaches to the pelvis and acetabulum in the Kenyan population . These surgical
approaches are used by orthopaedic surgeons to reduce and fix fractures of the pelvic
girdle (particularly at the symphysis pubis and the superior pubic ramus) and of the
acetabulum (particularly the anterior column). The corona mortis has been said to cause
massive uncontrolled bleeding 1 , significant bleeding 2 , profuse bleeding 3 , persistent
pelvic bleeding 4 ,or life-threatening haemorrhage 5 .
To avoid this catastrophic complication, the surgeon must understand the anatomy and
plan to clamp and ligate the Corona Mortis when it is encountered.
