Variation in hepatic arterial system in human cadaver

Abstract

Author(s): Bheemesh Pusala*, Nitya J, Archana Rajasundaram, WMS Johnson and J Sai Prasanna

Background: Normally, in 50%-55% of individuals the common hepatic artery arises from coeliac trunk and divides into right gastric, gastro duodenal and continues as proper hepatic artery. However it has been observed that 40%-45% variations in anatomical features of common hepatic arterial system in humans. The major changes occur in the origin of common hepatic artery seen in individuals: Arising from aorta (2%), may arise from superior mesenteric artery (2%), trifurcates into right hepatic, left hepatic, gastroduodenal arterys without giving proper hepatic artery (6%).

Findings: In our cadaveric study, while tracing out the hepatic arterial system we observed that the common hepatic artery has been raised from superior mesenteric artery. We found that accessory hepatic artery was arising from coeliac trunk instead of common hepatic artery. According to the classification of variations in the anatomy of hepatic arterial system described by Michel, et al., this specific case comes under IX category, i.e., common hepatic artery replaced to superior mesenteric artery, clinicians and radiologist should be aware of such aberrant vascular anatomy so as to reduce the incidence of surgical complication and surgical tumour.

Conclusion: We observed that the common hepatic artery is arising from superior mesenteric artery and there is an extra accessory hepatic branch which is arising from coeliac trunk in the cadaver. Aware of such variation is very important in the planning of surgical interventions, especially transplantation, as well as in the prevention of complications due to ischemia. Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and bile duct tumours allow for the differentiation of hepatobiliary cancers.

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