Variant origin of a common trunk of the accessory hepatic artery and cystic artery from the superior mesenteric artery

Abstract

Introduction: Though vascular variations of gallbladder and liver are well documented in the literature, the knowledge of incidence of rare vascular variations related to them is clinically important while planning the open and endovascular procedures involving these organs. This study reports a case of variant origin of a common trunk of the accessory hepatic artery and cystic artery from the superior mesenteric artery. Case report: During the cadaveric dissection, we came across a rare vascular variation in the supracolic compartment of the abdomen. A common trunk of accessory hepatic artery and cystic artery arose from the right margin of the superior mesenteric artery. It coursed upwards behind the head of the pancreas and first part of the duodenum and entered into the right free margin of the lesser omentum. It finally entered into the substance of the right lobe of the liver. Before entering into the liver, it gave a branch at the level of the Calot’s triangle, to supply the gallbladder. Conclusion: The variant origin of the common trunk of accessory hepatic artery and cystic artery, along with its unusual course in relation to the Calot’s triangle is clinically important during laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy procedures.