The cystic artery in human foetuses

The cystic artery varies in origin, course and number and it is important to recognise it during operative procedure. Insufficient recognition of its anatomical variation may contribute to a dangerous situation, especially during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. To prevent iatrogenic injuries of the vessels and bile ducts, correct preparation with clear identification of the anatomic structures is essential. Special attention must be given to the course of the cystic artery through the hepato-billiary triangle (Calot's triangle). The assumption of the present study was recognition of the vasculature of the gallbladder in human foetuses. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the origin of the cystic artery and its relation to Calot's triangle. In this study the cystic artery was most often (97.06%) a single vessel and only in one case (2.94%) was it a double vessel. It arose most often (82.34%) from the right proper hepatic artery, rarely from its trunk (8.82%) or its left branch (5.88%) and most rarely (2.94%) from the gastroduodenal artery. In all but one case the cystic artery coursed within Calot's triangle. Its exceptional course out of Calot's triangle concerned a cystic artery originating from the gastroduodenal artery (2.94%). The cystic artery most frequently (67.66%) runs behind the common hepatic duct, rarely (29.40%) over the common hepatic duct and most rarely (2.94%) on the left side of the cystic duct. In the material examined the cystic artery was not observed running in front of the common hepatic duct. The short type of cystic artery trunk (52.93%) was observed more frequently than the long one (44.13%).