Morphological expression of the extrahepatic bile duct. A study in a sample of Colombian mestizo population

  Background: The great variability of the extrahepatic bile duct (EBD) has clinical-surgical implications. The objective of this study was to characterize the morphological expressions of EBD. Methods and findings This descriptive study, done by injecting a semi-synthetic (Palatal GP40L 85%; styrene 15%) impregnated with mineral green dye into the gallbladder, to determine the anatomical characteristics and the biometrics of EBD in 33 blocks formed from the supra-mesocolic floor.The gallbladder presented a length of 66.9 ± 1.7 mm. The Hartmann´s Pouch was observed in 16 specimens (50%). The lengths of the cystic duct (CD), common hepatic duct (CHD) and common bile duct (choledoch duct) were 27.8 ± 1.6 mm, 28.6 ± 11.39 mm and 60.6 ± 11.6 mm respectively. The presence of accessory hepatic ducts (AHD) was found in three samples (9.1%). In 29 specimens  (87.9%) the cystic duct  presented medium length, while in 4 cases (12.1%) the CD was long (P < 0, 05). The trajectory of the lateral oblique of CD was present in 23 cases (69.7%), with statistically significant differences in relation to the other trajectories of the CD (P <0, 05). In 18 samples (55%) the cystic-hepatic union appeared at the level of the middle third of the EBD, while in 15 (45%) cases the union of the CD was low (P<0,05). Conclusions The mathematical distribution of the segments of the EBD, carried out in this study, provides reliability to the assessment of the cystic-hepatic junction level. The presence of CHA and the level of the cysto-hepatic junction are important anatomical references, especially in emergency room procedures.