Morphometric mapping of the female pelvic and lower abdominal retroperitoneum (cadaver dissection)

Systematic Anatomical Description of the Female Pelvic and Lower Abdominal Retroperitoneum: A Descriptive and Morphometric Cadaveric Study Oriented to Gynecologic Surgery

This project will map and measure pelvic and lower abdominal structures in donated female bodies to provide surgeons with better reference data for gynecologic operations.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: Female
• Sponsor: Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge (other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Barcelona, Barcelona and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07522931 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a descriptive cadaveric dissection project using approximately 20 adult female donors from an institutional body donation program. Standardized dissections will expose the retroperitoneum to identify the ureter, iliac vessels, aorta, inferior vena cava, pelvic nerves, and lymphatic territories, with each hemipelvis treated as an independent unit for side-to-side comparison. Millimetric measurements and predefined anatomical reference points will be used, repeated at least twice, and complemented by standardized photographic documentation. The study will quantify distances, vessel diameters, nerve relationships, and the frequency of anatomical variations to support an applied anatomical atlas for gynecologic surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Suitable subjects are female cadavers aged 18 or older with well-preserved pelvic and retroperitoneal tissues, available through the institutional body donation program and authorized for research use.

Not a fit: Cadavers with prior major pelvic or abdominal surgery, radiotherapy, advanced malignancy with retroperitoneal involvement, severe trauma, or poor tissue preservation are excluded and findings may not apply to such altered anatomies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could improve surgical planning and reduce complications by giving surgeons detailed, quantitative references of pelvic retroperitoneal anatomy and common variations.

How similar studies have performed: Prior cadaveric anatomical and morphometric series have successfully informed surgical techniques and atlases, though comprehensive quantitative datasets specifically focused on the female pelvic retroperitoneum remain limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* 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

Exclusion Criteria:

* 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

Where this trial is running

Barcelona, Barcelona and 1 other locations

• Universitat de Barcelona - Department of Anatomy and Human Embryology — Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (RECRUITING)
• Universitat de Barcelona - Department of Anatomy and Human Embryology — Barcelona, Spain (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jorge García Fernández, Gynecologist — Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge
• Study coordinator: Jorge Garcia Fernandez Principal Investigator, Gynecologist

Conditions: Pelvic Anatomy, Retroperitoneum, Cadaveric Study, Surgical Anatomy, Pelvic anatomy, retroperitoneum, female pelvis, Dissection