Anatomical variations of gallbladder and biliary ducts among Ethiopians

The extrahepatic biliary system was investigated to determine the types and frequency of variations in a group of Ethiopian subjects. A total of 110 specimens were obtained from adult Ethiopian subjects. Each specimen consisting of the whole of the liver, stomach, duodenum and the lesser omentum was removed and dissected carefully to expose the gallbladder and biliary ducts without disturbing their relationship. The majority (51%) of subjects had supramarginal type of gallbladder. The neck and infundibulum of the gallbladder were shorter in the present group compared to reports in other populations. There were significantly more cases of kinking of the gallbladder and Hartmann's pouch in the female than in the male subjects. However, there was no significant difference between the present and previously reported groups as well as the male and female subjects of the present group in the length or course of the cystic, hepatic or bile ducts. The findings in the present study suggest that variations in the gallbladder and the biliary ducts seen in the Ethiopian group are similar to what is reported in other populations. The significantly higher prevalence of kinking of the gallbladder and Hartmann's pouch in the female than in the male subjects may have some contribution to the higher rate of gallstone formation and biliary tract diseases in females.