A Cadaveric Study on Variations of the Common Hepatic Duct

Abstract

Variations in the anatomy of extrahepatic biliary apparatus (EHBA) has been a subject of extended research due to its clinical implications. Cholecystectomy is the commonly performed abdominal surgeries and its safety requires the adequate appreciation of anatomical abnormalities of the extrahepatic biliary tree to decrease the morbidity and mortality of the surgery. Abnormalities of the major ducts and presence of accessory ducts give rise to preoperative difculties and postoperative complications. Background & objectives: To study the normal anatomy of common hepatic duct and its variations. With the Methods: aim of the above study, a prospective descriptive study was conducted on 55 specimens with reference to the ducts. Different parameters were used as union of right and left hepatic ducts and common hepatic duct measurements and looked for variations such as accessory hepatic ducts. Results & discussion: Extrahepatic union of right and left hepatic ducts seen in 98% cases and intrahepatic union in 2%. Length of common hepatic duct varied from 1.5 to 4.7 cm with an average of 2.9cm. Accessory hepatic ducts were seen in 7 cases (13%) in which 2 joined the common hepatic duct, 1 joined LHD and 3 were to the cystic duct. All the ndings of the ducts are to enlighte Conclusions: n the anatomical knowledge of the anatomists, general and laparoscopic surgeons, oncosurgeons and to the transplant surgeons which are abundantly useful.