[Normal variation of arterial liver supply in mesenterico-celiacography]

Progress in operative techniques in surgery of the upper abdomen necessitates extensive preoperative diagnostic studies. Mesenterico-coeliacography along with CAT-SCAN form the basis for effective operative planning. In the angiography, the clinician is often confronted by variations in the arterial supply of the liver. These variations of the norm which are scarcely mentioned in anatomical textbooks must be carefully taken into consideration by the surgeon. In order to clarify the operative significance of these variations, we have conducted a retrospective study of the angiographies of the truncus coeliacus as well as of the arteria mesenterica superior. We found variations in 25.5% of 204 angiographies. The incidence of deviant and accessory hepatic arteries was 33.8% and of variations in the truncus coeliacus was 6.7%. These variations of the norm are discussed as to clinical and embryological aspects.