Biliary tract in trident, an anatomical variation between the cystic duct and its union to the common hepatic duct: a rare case report / Tracto biliar en tridente, una variación anatómica entre el conducto cístico y su unión al conducto hepático común: un caso raro

SUMMARY: Given that the gallbladder and the biliary tract are subject to multiple anatomical variants, detailed knowledge of embryology and its anatomical variants is essential for the recognition of the surgical field when the gallbladder is removed laparoscopically or by laparotomy, even when radiology procedures are performed. During a necropsy procedure, when performing the dissection of the bile duct is a rare anatomical variant of the bile duct, in this case the cystic duct joins at the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts giving an appearance of trident. This rare anatomical variant in the formation of common bile duct is found during the exploration of the bile duct during a necropsy procedure, it is clear that the wrong ligation of a common hepatic duct can cause a great morbi-mortality in the postsurgical of biliary surgery. This rare anatomical variant not previously described is put in consideration to the scientific community. Anatomical variants of the biliary tract are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, causing serious bile duct injuries. Only the surgical skill of the surgeon and his open mind to the possibilities of abnormalities make the performance of cholecystectomy a safe procedure.

RESUMEN: Dado que la vesícula biliar y el tracto biliar están sujetos a múltiples variantes anatómicas, el conocimiento detallado de la embriología y sus variantes anatómicas es esencial para el reconocimiento del campo quirúrgico cuando la vesícula biliar se extirpa laparoscópicamente o por laparotomía, incluso cuando se realizan procedimientos de radiología. Durante un procedimiento de necropsia, se realiza la disección del conducto biliar y se observa una variante anatómica inusual del conducto biliar; en este caso, el conducto cístico se une a la confluencia de los conductos hepáticos derecho e izquierdo dando una apariencia de tridente. Esta rara variante anatómica en la formación del conducto biliar común puede causar una gran morbimortalidad en la cirugía biliar asociado a una ligadura incorrecta. Esta extraña variante anatómica no descrita anteriormente se reporta a la comunidad científica, debido a que las variantes anatómicas del tracto biliar se asocian con altas tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad, al causar lesiones graves en el conducto biliar. Solo la habilidad quirúrgica del cirujano y su mente abierta a las posibilidades de variaciones anatómicas hacen que la realización de la colecistectomía sea un procedimiento seguro.

Trígono cistohepático: área crítica anatómica para la seguridad quirúrgica / Trigonum cystohepaticum: critical anatomical area for surgical safety

El conocimiento de la anatomía de la vía biliar y sus variantes para la realización de una cirugía segura, resulta fundamental. La extirpación de la vesícula requiere cuidadosa atención, conocer muy bien la anatomía de la región, teniendo en cuenta la posibilidad de variaciones anatómicas. La mala interpretación de la anatomía percibida más que una falta en la destreza técnica es la causa de la lesión de la vía biliar durante la colecistectomía. Diferenciar el límite y el contenido del trígono cistohepático. Diseñar las áreas de Visión Crítica y de Seguridad como medida de seguridad en el paciente quirúrgico. Revisión de 458 partes quirúrgicos de colecistectomías de enero/2010 a octubre/2012, en el Servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Aeronáutico Central, y disección de 12 cadáveres adultos formolizados al 10% en la III Cátedra de Anatomía - Facultad de Medicina - Universidad de Buenos Aires. De 458 colecistectomías, se clasificaron los partes quirúrgicos, dividiéndose según menciona: triángulo de Calot en 247 (53,93%); triángulo hepatocístico en 59 (12,88%); área de visión crítica en 152 (33,18%); ninguno mencionó al triángulo de Budde o trígono cistohepático. Se disecaron 12 cadáveres adultos donde se identificó: arteria cística originándose de arteria hepática derecha en 9 (75%); originándose de arteria hepática izquierda en 2 (16,66%) y originándose de arteria hepática en 1 (8,34%). En 7 (58,35%) se la visualiza en trígono cistohepático. El conocimiento de la anatomía de la vía biliar y sus variantes para la realización de una cirugía segura, resulta fundamental. El triángulo descrito por Calot corresponde a la mitad inferior del triángulo descrito por Buddé. El sector lateral (Triangulo de Seguridad) es el verdadero área de visión critica a disecar por la menor probabilidad de lesionar estructuras nobles.

Knowing the anatomy of the bile duct and its anatomical variations becomes essential to safely perform any surgery. Gallbladder resection requires careful attention: knowing the region's anatomy by heart and taking into account the possibility of anatomical variations. Misunderstanding the anatomy is not only a failure in technical ability but also a cause of injury to the bile duct during a cholescystectomy. The objectives of this study were, to distinguish the boundaries and content of the trigonum cystohepaticum. Furthermore, to design the areas of Safety and Critical Vision as a safety measure for the patient undergoing surgery. Analysis of 458 surgical reports on cholecystectomies performed from January 2010 to October 2012 by the Hospital Aeronáutico's General Surgery Department, and dissection of 12 adult cadavers preserved in a 10% formalin solution at the IIIrd Chair of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires. From 458 cholecystectomies, surgical reports were classified as mentioning: Calot triangle, 247 (53.93%); cystohepatic triangle, 59 (12.88%); critical vision area, 152 (33.18%). None of them mentioned Buddé triangle or trigonum cystohepaticum. Twelve adult cadavers were dissected in which we identified the cystic artery: originating from right hepatic artery, 9 (75%); originating from left hepatic artery, 2 (16.66%); and originating from hepatic artery, 1 (8.34%). Trigonum cystohepaticum is observed in 7 cadavers (58.35%). Knowing the anatomy of the bile duct and its anatomical variations becomes essential to safely perform any surgery. The triangle described by Calot is the lower half of the triangle described by Buddé. The lateral portion (Safety Triangle) is the area of critical vision to be dissected due to the lower probability of injuring noble structures.

Anatomic variations of extrahepatic bile ducts and evaluation of the length of ducts composing the cystohepatic triangle / Variaciones anatómicas de los ductos biliares extrahepáticos y longitud de los ductos del trígono hepato-cístico

It is of paramount importance for surgeons to have a thorough knowledge of the normal anatomy of the extrahepatic bile ducts and its variations due to the high frequency with which they perform in this anatomic site. The cystohepatic triangle, or Calot's Triangle, is bound by the cystic duct, common hepatic duct, and the hepatic border; therefore, its surface area depends on the conformation of these ducts and is closely linked to surgical procedures performed in this region. It has been reported that the length and the position of these ducts may be related to the formation of bile duct stones, Mirizzi's syndrome, and bile duct cancer. Thus, the present work aims to analyze the configuration of the extrahepatic biliary tree and its possible variations, as well as measure the components that make up the cystohepatic triangle. For this task 41 samples from fixated human cadavers were analyzed, with 25 consisting of anatomic parts (liver and biliary tree) and 16 in situ samples. The extrahepatic biliary trees were dissected in order to measure the length of the common hepatic and cystic ducts with a digital caliper, and all anatomic variations were registered. The length of the common hepatic duct varied between 4.18 mm and 50.64 mm, with an average of 21.76 +/- 9.51 mm. The length of the cystic duct varied between 7.28 and 38.88 mm, with an average of 19.11 +/- 6.77 mm. Anatomic variations were found in 3 samples (7.3 percent): in one of them the cystic duct connected to the left hepatic duct; in another, the cystic duct connected to the right hepatic duct; in the third, there was a triple confluence of hepatic ducts (two right ducts and one left duct). The results are a contribution to the clinical and surgical anatomy of this region.

El conocimiento de la anatomía normal de las vías biliares extrahepáticas y sus variaciones es fundamental para los cirujanos digestivos debido a la frecuencia con que se actúa en esa región. El trígono hepato-cístico o de Calot es delimitado por el ducto cístico, ducto hepático común y el margen del hígado. De este modo, su área depende de la conformación de esos ductos y está íntimamente relacionada a procedimientos quirúrgicos efectuados en esa zona. Se ha señalado que la longitud y la disposición de esos ductos estarían involucradas en la formación de cálculos biliares, síndrome de Mirizzi y neoplasias de vías biliares. Así, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la configuración de las vías biliares extrahepáticas y sus posibles variaciones, además de registrar parámetros métricos de los componentes del sistema biliar que integran el trígono hepato-cístico. Para el estudio se utilizaron 41 muestras de cadáveres formolizados de individuos adultos, siendo 25 piezas anatómicas (de hígado y vías biliares) y 16 in situ. Las vías biliares fueron disecadas, esquematizadas y fotografiadas, se registró la longitud del ducto hepático común y cístico con un caliper digital. La longitud promedio del ducto hepático común fue de 21,76 +/- 9,51 mm, variando de 4,18 mm a 50,64 mm; la longitud promedio del ducto cístico fue de 19,11 +/- 6,77 mm, variando de 7,28 a 38,88 mm. Se observaron variaciones en 3 muestras (7,3 por ciento), en una de ellas, el ducto cístico se unió al ducto hepático izquierdo, en otra, el ducto cístico se unió al ducto hepático derecho y en la otra muestra, se presentó una confluencia triple de ductos hepáticos, dos derechos y uno izquierdo. Los resultados obtenidos son un aporte a la anatomía clínica y quirúrgica de la región.

The Variation of Hepatic Duct Confluence and Asymptomatic Common Bile Duct Stone with Routine Intraoperative Cholangiogram during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been used to evaluate bile duct stone. But, the routine use of IOC remains controversial. With routine IOC during LC, we reviewed the variation of hepatic duct confluence and try to suggest the diagnostic criteria of asymptomatic common bile duct (CBD) stone. METHODS: We reviewed the medical record of 970 consecutive patients who underwent LC with IOC from January 1999 to December 2009, retrospectively. RESULTS: Nine hundered seventy patients were enrolled. IOC were successful in 957 (98.7%) and unsuccessful in 13 (1.3%). Eighty two of 957 patients (8.2%) were excluded because of no or poor radiologic image. According to Couinaud's classification, 492 patients (56.2%) had type A hepatic duct confluence, 227 patients (26.1%) type B, 15 patients (17%) type C1, 43 patients (4.9%) type C2, 72 patients (8.2%) type D1, 21 patients (2.4%) type D2, 1 patient (0.1%) type E1, 1 patient (0.1%) type E2, 2 patients (0.2%) type F, and 1 patient (0.1%) no classified type. The CBD stone was found in 116 of 970 (12.2%) patients. In 281 patients, preoperative serologic and radiologic tests did not show abnormality. When preoperative findings were not remarkable, there was no difference of clinical features between patients with or without CBD stones. CONCLUSIONS: Although IOC during LC has some demerits, it is a safe and accurate method for the detection of CBD stone and the anatomic variation of intrahepatic duct.

Gadobenate Dimeglumine as an Intrabiliary Contrast Agent: Comparison with Mangafodipir Trisodium with Respect to Non-dilated Biliary Tree Depiction

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of Mangafodipir trisodium (Mn-DPDP) -enhanced MR cholangiogrphy (MRC) and Gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA) -enhanced MRC in visualizing a non-dilated biliary system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-eight healthy liver donor candidates underwent contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRC. Mn-DPDP and Gd-BOPTA was used in 36 and 52 patients, respectively. Two radiologists reviewed the MR images and rated the visualization of the common duct, the right and left hepatic ducts, and the second-order branches using a 4-point scale. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the common duct to the liver in the two groups was also compared. RESULTS: Mn-DPDP MRC and Gd-BOPTA MRC both showed similar visualization grades in the common duct (p = .380, Mann-Whitney U test). In the case of the proximal bile ducts, the median visualization grade was significantly higher with Gd-BOPTA MRC than with Mn-DPDP MRC (right hepatic duct: p = 0.016, left hepatic duct: p = 0.014, right secondary order branches: p = 0.006, left secondary order branches, p = 0.003). The common duct-to-liver CNR of the Gd-BOPTA MRC group was significantly higher (38.90+/-24.50) than that of the Mn-DPDP MRC group (24.14+/-17.98) (p = .003, Student's t test). CONCLUSION: Gd-BOPTA, as a biliary contrast agent, is a potential substitute for Mn-DPDP.

Estudo anatômico das variações de posição da junção dos ductos cístico e hepático comum em fetos / Position variability anatomical study of the junction between cystic and common hepatic ducts in fetus

OBJETIVO: Definir e classificar as variações anatômicas da junção dos ductos cístico e hepático comum em fetos, analisando a freqüência, trajeto e relação entre eles. MÉTODOS: Dissecaram-se 33 fetos , no período de setembro de 1999 a julho de 2000, utilizando-se fotografias para registrar as junções cístico-hepáticas. As uniões foram classificadas como alta, média e baixa e, quanto ao curso, paralelo ou angular. Constatado o tipo de união, aferiu-se o comprimento dos ductos. RESULTADOS: Visualizou-se a junção cístico-hepática em 93,9 por cento dos fetos, sendo encontrada a inserção média em 45,2 por cento delas, a inserção alta em 29 por cento e a inserção baixa em 25,8 por cento. Quanto ao curso ductal, a união aguda foi observada em 71 por cento dos fetos, enquanto a paralela, em 29 por cento. Quanto ao comprimento ductal, o ducto cístico variou de 4 - 6 mm, o ducto hepático comum de 9 - 13 mm, e o ducto colédoco de 5 - 10 mm. CONCLUSÃO: Dentre as variações anatômicas, a inserção média foi a prevalente, seguida do curso angular, com comprimentos dos ductos cístico e hepático comum variando entre 6mm e 7 mm, respectivamente. Foi demonstrada uma freqüência significativa de inserção baixa cístico-hepático comum.

Laparoscopic anatomy of the patterns of union of cystic duct to the common hepatic duct

This study was carried out to determine the various patterns of union of cystic duct to the common bile duct and to find and document the most common patterns. Design: An observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Mayo and National Hospital, Lahore. Subjects and The study is based upon laparoscopic dissection of 600 patients done between December 1995 to December 2000. These dissections were carried out as a part of laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed on these patients. The pattern of union of cystic duct with the common hepatic duct was studied and anomalies documented. It was noted that the original pattern of the union on the right lateral side is seen only in 32% cases, whereas an overwhelming majority i.e. 68% does not follow the known anatomic patterns. The patterns seen in the study were grouped into three different types. It was evident from this study that the common pattern described by the text books does not represent the true picture and indeed a lot of variations exist in this area

Anatomical study of the round ligament approach to segment III duct of the liver

The duct of segment III of the liver has been used as a conduit to the jejunum in cases of hilar biliary obstruction. Twenty five fresh livers were studied. The bile duct-common hepatic or common bile-, the hepatic artery and the portal vein were injected with latex and dissected to display the anatomy of the round ligament approach to segment III duct. The round ligament approach was attempted in six patients operated upon for hilar biliary stricture. In ten specimens [40%], the duct of segment III passed from its sheath and followed the left side of the left portal branch posterosuperiorly in the fissure for ligamentum teres till the origin of the sheath of segment II where it changed its direction to the right to run above and behind the left portal branch in the porta hepatis [the pattern of the curved duct]. In 9 specimens [36%], the duct of segment III passed from its sheath directly to the right in front of the left portal branch just proximal to its junction with the round ligament on its way to the left end of the porta hepatis [the pattern of straight duct]. In 6 specimens [24%], segment III was drained by two ducts [the pattern of double duct]. In the six cases operated upon, the duct could not be reached in a cirrhotic patient, three patients had straight ducts which were easily exposed, one patient had the curved duct pattern which was exposed with great difficulty, and in one patient a hepatotomy was done to reach the duct

New look on resection of segment VII of the human liver

Sao reconhecidos tres subsegmentos hepaticos (IXb, IXc e IXd), dos quais os dois ultimos devem ser bem identificados na resseccao do segmento VII. As relacoes anatomicas , os limites, os pediculos portais, o pediculo normal e as veias hepaticas tem grande importancia cirurgica. O eixo portal transverso, a identificacao dos pediculos e a posicao das fissuras devem ser conhecidas, principalmente nas segmentectomias parciais superiores. Ultra-sonografia e disseccao cuidadosa sao os recursos disponiveis para resolver dificuldades emergentes de variacoes anatomicas.

Vías biliares extrahepáticas en fetos humanos de término / Extrahepatic biliary duct in term human fetus

Se realiza un estudio anatómico de las vías biliares extrahepáticas en 62 fetos humanos de término de ambos sexos, analizando las variaciones existentes de forma, número, longitud y diámetros de la vesícula biliar, conductos: cístico, hepáticos, hepático común y colédoco, así como la desembocadura de este último en la segunda porción del duodeno. Se establece que la vesícula biliar tiene forma de pera (85,48%) en contraposición con otros estudios que le asignan una forma cilíndrica. Se constata la presencia de conductos accesorios que desembocan en el conducto cístico (6,5%), conducto hepático común (6,15%) y conducto colédoco (1,61%) todos provenientes del lóbulo derecho. Se observa que el conducto colédoco se abre en la cavidad de la segunda porción del duodeno, a nivel de la parte posterior de su cara medial mediante una eminencia llamada papila mayor duodenal, la cual está presente en el 100% de los casos, limitada hacia arriba por un pliegue de la mucosa llamado válvula suprapapilar (83,87%); por debajo se continúa con un pliegue mucoso vertical, el frenillo de la papila (96,78%)