Satisfactory analgesia cannot be achieved in every obturator nerve block. To attempt to improve the success rate of obturator
nerve block, this study describes the detailed anatomy of the obturator region and canal. Eleven (5 female and 6 male) cadavers,
totally 22 sides were dissected. Anatomical positions of the structures entering and leaving the canal were defined. The position
of the obturator nerve and its branches and their relation with the obturator artery, vein, and with the internal iliac and
femoral veins were investigated. A mould of the canal and a model were created. Detailed measurements were performed on the
cadavers and models. The obturator canal was in the shape of a funnel compressed from superior to inferior, with anterior
and posterior openings. At the entrance of the canal, the nerve lay superiorly; the artery was in the middle, and the vein
lay inferiorly. The obturator nerve ran close to the lateral wall of the obturator canal. The distance of lateral wall of
obturator canal to the median plane was 41.4 ± 1.1 mm. After leaving the canal, the nerve lay laterally while the anterior
branch of the artery was medial. A venous plexus lay between the two structures. The presence of the branches of the obturator
artery and vein alongside the obturator nerve may increase the risk of injury to these structures during anaesthetic procedures.
The anterior division of the obturator nerve has a close relationship with these vessels. To provide complete analgesia, the
obturator nerve should be blocked in the obturator canal or at its external orifice.
Keywords Nerve block - Anaesthesia - Obturator nerve - Obturator nerve block - Obturator canal anatomy