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Absence of the Proper Hepatic Artery Detected on Cadaveric Dissection
George Tsakotos1, George Triantafyllou1, Orestis Lyros2
1Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC.
Insights
Anatomical variations in the coeliac trunk (CeT) and hepatic arteries are clinically significant. A rare aberrant branching pattern, including absent proper hepatic artery, was observed during a cadaver dissection.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- The coeliac trunk (CeT) and its hepatic arterial branches display considerable anatomical variability.
- Understanding these variations is crucial for surgical planning and patient safety in abdominal procedures.
Observation:
- A unique aberrant branching pattern of the CeT was identified in a 78-year-old female cadaver during routine dissection.
- The proper hepatic artery (PHA) was notably absent.
Findings:
- The left hepatic artery (LHA) originated from the common hepatic artery (CHA) prior to its division into the right hepatic artery (RHA) and gastroduodenal artery (GDA).
- Inferior phrenic arteries (IPAs) arose from a shared trunk originating directly from the CeT.
- This configuration represents a rare deviation from the typical CHA trifurcation pattern.
Implications:
- Recognizing such anatomical anomalies is vital for preventing intraoperative complications during hepatectomy, liver transplantation, and interventional radiology.
- Detailed preoperative imaging and comprehensive anatomical knowledge are essential for optimizing surgical outcomes and ensuring patient safety.
Abstract:
The coeliac trunk (CeT) and hepatic arterial system exhibit significant anatomical variability, which holds substantial clinical and surgical relevance. This cadaveric case describes an aberrant branching pattern of the CeT discovered during the routine anatomical dissection of a 78-year-old female cadaver. Notably, the proper hepatic artery (PHA) was absent, with the left hepatic artery (LHA) arising from the common hepatic artery (CHA) before its bifurcation into the right hepatic artery (RHA) and gastroduodenal artery (GDA). In addition, the inferior phrenic arteries (IPAs) originated from a common trunk arising from the CeT. This vascular configuration deviates from the CHA trifurcation pattern, which has been previously documented in the literature but remains infrequently reported. Given the critical role of the hepatic arterial system in surgical procedures, including hepatectomy, liver transplantation, and interventional radiology, recognizing such anatomical variations is paramount to prevent intraoperative complications. This report underscores the importance of detailed preoperative imaging and thorough anatomical knowledge in optimizing surgical outcomes and patient safety.
