The variations in the emergence and distribution of the ilioinguinal nerve are the cause of the failures of the ilioinguinal block and the difficulties at interpreting the ilioinguinal nerve syndrome. In order to identify its variations and set reliable anatomical landmarks for performing the ilioinguinal block, we dissected 100 inguinal regions of 51 adult corpses. The nerve was absent in seven cases and double in one case. The ilioinguinal nerve emerged from the internal oblique muscle, passing at 1 +/- 0.8 cm of the inguinal ligament and 3.33 +/- 2 cm of the ventral cranial iliac spine. It appeared behind the inguinal ligament and/or the ventral cranial iliac spine in 19 cases and presented a common trunk with the iliohypogastric nerve in 13 cases. In 47 cases, the nerve appeared in the form of a single trunk. Sixteen modes of division and eight types of predominantly anterior scrotal topographic distribution could be noted. These results show the high variability of the emergence and the sensory distribution of the ilioinguinal nerve. They enable us to propose techniques for ilioinguinal block performance using more accurate anatomical landmarks formed by the inguinal ligament and the ventral cranial iliac spine and a better diagnostic approach of ilioinguinal neuropathies.

The variations in lymphatic drainage of the right lung require to carry out systematically a radical mediastinal lymphadenectomy during the removal of non-small cell lung cancers and to associate an adjuvant treatment.

The arch of the great saphenous vein presents numerous tributaries. Misappreciation of their anatomical variations might cause recurrence after surgical treatment of varices. We dissected 54 inguino-femoral regions of fresh, black African corpses. Our purpose was to study the anatomical variations in the vein confluents of the arch of the great saphenous vein; its positions in relation to the external pudendal artery; establish palpable anatomical markers for its surgical approach. The conventional type in a 'vein star' shape was not the most frequent. Upper or abdominal common vein produced through the merging of superficial veins of the anterior abdominal wall and genital or internal common vein were more frequent. An anterior saphenous vein was found in 23 cases. The external pudendal artery crossed beneath the arch of the great saphenous vein cross in 56% of cases and previously in 44% of cases. On average, the top of the arch of the great saphenous vein was projected out 10.88 cm from the ventral and cranial iliac spine, 3.83 cm from the pubic tubercle and 4.19 cm from the inguinal ligament. In view of our results, variations are real. Knowing and taking them into account are essential to prevent recurrences after surgical treatment of varices of the pelvic limb.

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