Untitled

Abstract

Introduction This study reports a case of two rare variations in the branching pattern of the splenic artery. Case report During the course of routine dissection of a 42-year-old male cadaver for teaching of preclinical medical students, we noticed two rare variations in the branching pattern of the splenic artery. The splenic artery was significantly non-tortuous; it was smaller (6 cm) in length. The splenic artery was seen to give a posterior gastric branch along with an accessory branch to the splenic flexure of the colon. Discussion The uniqueness of the current report lies in the fact that the splenic artery gave both the posterior gastric branch and an accessory branch to the left colic flexure. It is important for the surgeon to be aware of the existence of these variant branches of the splenic artery. These variations may be overlooked intraoperatively increasing the chances of inadvertent bleeding if damaged. Hence, their importance in abdominal surgical procedures especially, pancreatic transplant surgeries and left colonic resections cannot be overlooked. It is equally interesting to note that in this case; an artery of the foregut was seen supplying an area of the artery of the hindgut. This variation in the branching pattern of splenic artery can be correlated with its embryological development. Conclusion We as anatomists submit that awareness of variations of splenic artery as described in the current report would contribute to minimise vascular complications during abdominal surgeries.