What question did this study set out to answer?

To highlight the significance of recognizing anomalous hepatic arterial anatomy during pancreatic surgeries.

May 2, 2026Journal of Surgical Case Reports0 citationsOpen Access

Solitary right hepatic artery passing anterior to the pancreas: a rare and challenging anatomical variant during Whipple procedure

HAHazem AlouaniMohamed I University AOAnnouar OueslatiTunis University SNSalsabil NasriTunis University

Key Points

To highlight the significance of recognizing anomalous hepatic arterial anatomy during pancreatic surgeries.
Reported a case involving a solitary right hepatic artery from the superior mesenteric artery.
Preservation and reconstruction of the RHA were performed using an interposition graft from the great saphenous vein during a Whipple procedure.
The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course and was discharged on Day 9 after surgery.

Abstract

Anomalous hepatic arterial anatomy is a critical consideration during pancreaticoduodenectomy. We report a rare case of a solitary right hepatic artery (RHA) arising from the superior mesenteric artery with complete absence of the common hepatic artery, coursing through the pancreatic parenchyma and supplying the entire liver. A 62-year-old man underwent a Whipple procedure for a pancreatic head tumour. Intraoperatively, the RHA was preserved and reconstructed using an interposition graft from the great saphenous vein to maintain hepatic perfusion. The postoperative course was uncomplicated, and the patient was discharged on postoperative Day 9. Awareness of such variants is essential to prevent catastrophic hepatic ischemia during pancreatic surgery.

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