Morphometric Study of the Female Pelvic and Lower Abdominal Retroperitoneum in Cadavers

NCT07522931 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: UB-RETROPERITONEO-2026
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

This study aims to provide a systematic anatomical and morphometric description of the female pelvic and lower abdominal retroperitoneum using cadaveric dissection, with direct application to gynecologic surgery. Standardized dissections will be performed in adult female cadavers obtained from a body donation program. Key anatomical structures, including the ureter, iliac vessels, aorta, inferior vena cava, hypogastric plexuses, and lymphatic territories, will be identified and measured. Spatial relationships, distances, and anatomical variations will be recorded using direct measurements and standardized photographic documentation. The study will quantify anatomical variability and asymmetry between right and left hemipelves, focusing on ureteral, vascular, and neural structures. The results are expected to improve surgical planning, particularly in nerve-sparing techniques and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, and to support the development of an applied anatomical atlas for educational and clinical use.

Conditions

Cadaveric Study; Surgical Anatomy; Pelvic Anatomy; Retroperitoneum

Keywords

Pelvic anatomy; retroperitoneum; female pelvis; Dissection; cadaver; cadaveric model; surgical anatomy; Gynecologic surgery; Morphometric analysis; Anatomical variability; Nerve-sparing surgery; Pelvic vessels; Ureter anatomy; Hypogastric plexus; Pelvic lymphatic anatomy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Global Morphometric Characterization of the Female Pelvic and Lower Abdominal Retroperitoneum

  Systematic morphometric measurement (millimeters, mm) of anatomical structures in the female pelvic and lower abdominal retroperitoneum, including distances, diameters, lengths, and spatial relationships between ureter, vascular structures (iliac vessels, aorta, inferior vena cava), and pelvic autonomic nerves. Measurements will be obtained using standardized cadaveric dissection and predefined anatomical reference points.

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Iliac Artery Morphometry and Branching Patterns

  Baseline

• Iliac Artery Morphometry and Branching Patterns

  Baseline

• Iliac Venous Anatomy and Variations

  Baseline

• Presence and Morphometric Characteristics of Corona Mortis

  Baseline

• Pelvic Autonomic Nervous System Anatomy

  Baseline

Other Outcomes (1)

• Development of an Applied Anatomical Atlas

  through study completion, an average of 1 year

Study Arms (1)

Cadaveric Specimens

Adult female cadavers obtained from an institutional body donation program. Specimens will undergo standardized anatomical dissection of the pelvic and lower abdominal retroperitoneum for identification of anatomical structures, morphometric measurements, and photographic documentation.

Other: Anatomical Dissection

Interventions

Anatomical Dissection OTHER

Standardized anatomical dissection of the pelvic and lower abdominal retroperitoneum in cadaveric specimens, including systematic identification of anatomical structures, direct morphometric measurements, and standardized photographic documentation.

Cadaveric Specimens

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult female cadavers obtained from an institutional body donation program, used for anatomical dissection and morphometric analysis of the pelvic and upper abdominal retroperitoneum.

You may qualify if:

• Female cadavers from an institutional body donation program
• Age ≥ 18 years at time of death
• Adequate preservation of pelvic and abdominal retroperitoneal structures
• Anatomical integrity allowing identification of ureter, iliac vessels, hypogastric plexuses, aorta, and vena cava
• Availability of both hemipelves for comparative analysis
• Authorization for research use according to institutional body donation regulations

You may not qualify if:

• Male cadavers
• Prior major pelvic or abdominal surgery significantly altering retroperitoneal anatomy (e.g., hysterectomy, lymphadenectomy, vascular surgery)
• History of pelvic or abdominal radiotherapy
• Advanced pelvic or abdominal malignancy with retroperitoneal involvement
• Severe trauma affecting pelvic or abdominal anatomy
• Poor preservation or significant tissue degradation
• Absence of one or both hemipelves
• Advanced pregnancy at time of death

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge: lead
• University of Barcelona: collaborator

Study Sites (2)

Universitat de Barcelona - Department of Anatomy and Human Embryology

Barcelona, Barcelona, 08007, Spain

RECRUITING

Universitat de Barcelona - Department of Anatomy and Human Embryology

Barcelona, 08028, Spain

NOT YET RECRUITING

Related Publications (5)

• Cibula D, Abu-Rustum NR. Pelvic lymphadenectomy in cervical cancer--surgical anatomy and proposal for a new classification system. Gynecol Oncol. 2010 Jan;116(1):33-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2009.09.003. Epub 2009 Oct 17.

  PMID: 19837449 BACKGROUND

• Sanna B, Henry BM, Vikse J, Skinningsrud B, Pekala JR, Walocha JA, Cirocchi R, Tomaszewski KA. The prevalence and morphology of the corona mortis (Crown of death): A meta-analysis with implications in abdominal wall and pelvic surgery. Injury. 2018 Feb;49(2):302-308. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2017.12.007. Epub 2017 Dec 9.

  PMID: 29241998 BACKGROUND

• Sienkiewicz-Zawilinska J, Zawilinski J, Kaythampilla LN, Jankiel M, Urbaniak J, Bereza T, Kowalski W, Loukas M, Walocha J. Autonomic nervous system of the pelvis - general overview. Folia Med Cracov. 2018;58(2):21-44. doi: 10.24425/fmc.2018.124656.

  PMID: 30467432 BACKGROUND

• Ripperda CM, Jackson LA, Phelan JN, Carrick KS, Corton MM. Anatomic relationships of the pelvic autonomic nervous system in female cadavers: clinical applications to pelvic surgery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Apr;216(4):388.e1-388.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.12.002. Epub 2016 Dec 9.

  PMID: 27956200 BACKGROUND

• Kostov S, Slavchev S, Dzhenkov D, Mitev D, Yordanov A. Avascular Spaces of the Female Pelvis-Clinical Applications in Obstetrics and Gynecology. J Clin Med. 2020 May 13;9(5):1460. doi: 10.3390/jcm9051460.

  PMID: 32414119 BACKGROUND

Related Links

• University of Barcelona WebPage

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cadaver

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Death; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Jorge García Fernández, Gynecologist

  Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Jorge Garcia Fernandez Principal Investigator, Gynecologist

CONTACT

+34622595644; jorgarciafernan@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Gynaecologyst

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 26, 2026
• First Posted: April 13, 2026
• Study Start: April 14, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 28, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Last Updated: April 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (2)