common hepatic artery variations and hepatic collateral cirulation

ABSTRACT

Twenty-five fresh cadavers obtained from the Department of Anatomy. Alexandria University were dissected to reveal the variations of the hepatic artery and the arterial connections between the right and left hepatic divisions. The presence of the middle hepatic artery was reported in 60% of cases. It arose from the left hepatic division in 20% of specimens, and in 40% of specimens from the right one. An accessory left hepatic artery was found originating from the left gastric artery in 16% of cases and an accessory right hepatic artery from the superior mesenteric in 4% of cases. In all cases both accessory arteries were present in addition to the right and left hepatic divisions. Anastomosis between the right and left arterial hepatic divisions was present in 48% of cases. The middle hepatic artery shared in this anastomosis when present. These anatomical variations may be of value in clinical applications during liver and gastropancreatic surgery