An analysis of the variations and clinical applications of the lateral circumflex femoral artery.

Background: Identifying the arterial variation of the lateral circumflex femoral artery is a vital step in planning surgical and radiological approach. To evaluate the variations and discuss the clinical correlates of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. Materials and methods: 58 adult cadavers (male 45, female 13) with 115 usable sides were used to assess and classify the origin and branches of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. Also its external diameter, distance from mid-inguinal ligament to sites of origin from the profunda femoris artery or femoral arteries. Results: There were 7 types of lateral circumflex femoral artery variations in this sample. We classified them as types A to G, of which type A was normal, that is, the one showing a single lateral circumflex femoral artery arising from the profunda femoris artery. Nearly 50.43% of the sample had type B-G variations, each having 13, 10, 23, 4, 4 and 3 cases, accounting for 11.30%, 8.70%, 20.00%, 3.48%, 3.48% and 2.61%, respectively.  Conclusions: There are many variant types in the lateral circumflex femoral artery. To avoid iatrogenic injuries, clinicians must have a sound understanding of the variation types of this important blood vessel.