Lessons learned from anatomic variants of the hepatic artery in 1,081 transplanted livers

The aim of this study is to contribute our experience to the knowledge of the anatomic variations of the hepatic arterial supply. The surgical anatomy of the extrahepatic arterial vascularization was investigated prospectively in 1,081 donor cadaveric livers, transplanted at La Fe University Hospital from January 1991 to August 2004. The vascular anatomy of the hepatic grafts was classified according to Michels description (Am J Surg 1966;112:337-347) plus 2 variations. Anatomical variants of the classical pattern were detected in 30% of the livers (n=320). The most common variant was a replaced left artery arising from the left gastric artery (9.7%) followed by a replaced right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery (7.8%). In conclusion, the information about the different hepatic arterial patterns can help in reducing the risks of iatrogenic complications, which in turn may result in better outcomes not only following surgical interventions but also in the context of radiological treatments.