[Study of ilio-cava confluence and its relations with the lumbo-sacral spine].

Dissection of 35 human cadavers was performed to assess the variability in the vascular anatomy of ilio-cava confluence and to define the relations with the lumbo-sacral spine and the aortic bifurcation. The ilio-cava confluence was between L4 and S1, most often at the level of L5 and on the median third of spine. The mean height of the ilio-cava confluence was 14mm. The confluence covered the whole of L5-S1 disc in 14% of cases. The main collateral branch was the medial sacral vein. The variability of ilio-cava confluence is great and complicate the anterior approach of lumbo-sacral spine.