A rare variant angioarchitecture of upper abdomen / 대한해부학회지

ABSTRACT

Vascular anomalies are frequently encountered in abdomen. But they are usually asymptomatic and diagnosed accidently during angiography or surgery leading into severe complications. Thus knowledge of angioarchitecture in abdomen, whether normal or variant, is considered prerequisite for successful, uncomplicated surgeries and interventional radiology. This case report describes one of such varying branching pattern of celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery. During routine abdominal dissection, gastroduodenal artery was seen arising from celiac trunk along with its usual three branches. Common hepatic artery continued as left hepatic artery after giving rise the right gastric artery and a tortuous replaced right hepatic artery arose from superior mesenteric artery. An unusually long cystic artery arose from left hepatic artery and gave rise to 2-3 small anastomotic branches towards hepatic flexor of colon, in addition to its normal gallbladder supply. Awareness of such variations would certainly be helpful in upper abdominal surgeries.