Dissection of the Common Femoral Artery at the Bamako Anatomy Laboratory

Objectives: The purpose of this work was to determine the dimensions of CFA before the birth of the deep thigh artery, describe the mode of termination of the CFA, search for CFA collaterals, and describe the anatomical variations of the CFA. Methodology: This was a prospective study conducted at the Anatomy Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine and Odonto-Stomatology of Bamako. CFA arteries of 12 fresh corpses of adults include 9 men and 3 women. A total of 24 CFA arteries were dissected and photographed. Results: The mean length of CFA was 50.9 ± 12.55 mm (range: 31 and 93 mm). Its average diameter was 9.12 ± 1.17 mm (range: 7 and 12 mm). In 70.83%, the CFA artery ended without any particularity. There was 29.17% anatomic variation in the CFA termination mode. The CFA divided into 3 branches (trifurcation) in 25%. The 3 branches were in 20.83%, the FS and a common core to LFCA and AQ; in 4.17%, they were the SFA, the DFA and the MFCA. In 4.17%, it divided into 4 branches which are: the SFA, the DFA, the MFCA and a common core to QA and LFCA. The CFA gave as collateral: circumflex superficial iliac artery in 22 cases (91.67%), superficial epigastric artery in 19 cases (79.17%), upper external pudendal artery in 20 cases (83.33%), and lower external pudendal artery in 14 cases (58.33%). We noted in our series 9 anatomical variations at the collateral level of the CFA or 37.5%. The CFA gave birth to the following branches: the MFCA in 4 cases or 16.67%, the LFCA in 1 case or 4.17%, the QA in 1 case or 4.17%, and a common core to the QA and LFCA in 3 cases or 12.5%. Conclusion: The length of CFA is important. The variations of CFA are frequent and important to know in clinical and surgical practice.