Aberrant right hepatic artery arising from the celiac trunk: A potential pitfall during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Aberrant extrahepatic arteries and variants of biliary anatomy are well known. During surgery in this area, surgeons have to concentrate on avoiding inadvertent injuries to these structures. We present a patient with an aberrant right hepatic artery arising directly from the celiac trunk, resulting in an abnormal path of the cystic artery. A 62-year-old man was diagnosed with acute cholecystitis and underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A preoperative abdominal computed tomography scan showed an aberrant right hepatic artery arising directly from the celiac trunk. The cystic artery did not pass through Calot's triangle. During operation, the cystic artery was anterior and adherent to the cystic duct. Surgeons must be familiar with anatomical variations of the extrahepatic biliary tree and arterial supply to prevent inadvertent injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.