Anomalous Origins of Hepatic Artery and Its Significance for Hepatobiliary Surgery

An intact hepatic artery is the gateway to successful hepatobiliary surgery. Introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has stimulated a renewed interest in the anatomy of the hepatic artery. Division or damage with subsequent thrombosis produces ischaemia of the liver or bile duct which can have devastating consequences for the patient. Surgeons undertaking hepatobiliary surgery must know their hepatic artery anatomy and be able to recognize the multiple variants for safe surgery and low morbidity. In this study sixty cadavers were studied. This descriptive study was carried out to document the normal anatomy and different variations of the hepatic artery. This study revealed that in nearly 45% of dissections an anomalous variation of the right or left hepatic arteries was found. It also demonstrates that variations when present are often multiple; 40% of anomalous right hepatic arteries had more than one variation present, and 70% of anomalous left hepatic arteries had other variations. In 27% of dissections more than two variations were present.