Anatomic variation of the celiac trunk with special reference to hepatic artery patterns

Based on a large homogeneous sample from a Japanese population, anatomic variations in the celiac trunk (CT) and the hepatic artery were studied. Previously we analyzed the branching mode of the CT in 450 Japanese cadavers. In order to maximize the database on the CT and hepatic artery, we examined the anatomy of these arteries in 524 cadavers, a total of 974 cases. A total of 89.8% of cases showed the classical trifurcation of the CT. The typical normal pattern of the CT and the hepatic artery was confirmed in 66.6% and 72.4% of the cadavers, respectively. Variant left and right hepatic arteries were observed in 11.0% and 4.9%, respectively. A variant anatomy involving both the left and right hepatic arteries was found in 1.5%. A common hepatosplenic trunk and a gastrohepatic trunk were seen in 4.4% and 0.3%, respectively. A common hepatic artery (CHA) arising from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) or directly from the aorta was present in 3.5% or 0.5%, respectively. A hepatosplenomesenteric trunk and a celiomesenteric trunk were encountered in 0.7%, respectively. This anatomical update of the CT and the hepatic artery can be useful for transplantation and general surgeons, as well as vascular radiologists in this area.