ABSTRACT

The various ports needed to perform laparoscopic surgery must traverse the anterior abdominal wall, thus knowledge of this anatomy is important to avoid a primary complication of injury to the arteries and veins contained therein. Landmarks of interest are the umbilicus, the anterior superior iliac spines, and pubic symphysis. In addition, landmarks on the interior abdominal wall will assist the laparoscopist in safely placing trocars in order to avoid injuring deeper vascular structures such as the aorta, common iliac vessels, and the external iliac vessels.