Variations of Cystic Duct and Its Clinical Significance

Background: Cystic duct drains the bile from the gallbladder into the common bile duct. Gallstone disease is one of the most common problems affecting the digestive tract and may lead to many complications. To avoid the complications in these patients the gallbladder is removed surgically (Cholecystectomy). Ligation of cystic duct and cystic artery is a prerequisite procedure when cholecystectomy is done. Understanding about the normal anatomy & the possible variations in biliary ductal system is important for the surgeons for doing cholecystectomy surgery successfully. Errors during gallbladder surgery commonly result from failure to appreciate the common variations in the anatomy of the biliary system. Aim of the study: To find out the incidence of variations in the length, course, and termination of cystic duct in cadavers. Materials and Methods: Present study was done in 50 adult cadavers in the Department of Anatomy, Government Tiruvannamalai medical college, Tamilnadu. Meticulous dissection was done in the hepatobiliary system of these cadavers. Observations: During the study variations in the length of cystic duct, course and different modes of insertion of cystic duct were observed. Conclusion: Knowledge of variations in the length of cystic duct and knowing about different modes of course & insertion of cystic duct is necessary for surgeons while conducting cholecystectomy. The risk of iatrogenic injury is especially high in cases where the biliary anatomy is misidentified prior to surgery. KEY WORDS: Cystic duct, Gallbladder, Cholecystectomy.

Cystic Artery Pseudoaneurysm: Current Review of Aetiology, Presentation, and Management

Background. Cystic artery pseudoaneurysms are rare. Most commonly, they occur secondary to acute cholecystitis or after a cholecystectomy. Complications include haemobilia, biliary obstruction, and haemorrhage. Given the rarity and associated morbidity, a high index of suspicion is required. This article reviews the current literature on cystic artery pseudoaneurysms to investigate its aetiology, clinical presentation, and management options. Methods. A broad search of the Medline and PubMed databases was carried through. All peer reviewed literatures published in the English language between 1991 and 2020 with keywords “cystic” and “artery” and “pseudoaneurysm” in the title were selected for review. No further exclusion criteria; all studies yielded from the search were included in the results of this review. Additionally, we present a case of cystic artery pseudoaneurysm treated at our centre and included this in our analysis. Results. Sixty-seven case reports were found between 1991 and 2020. Aetiologies: Aetiology of cystic artery pseudoaneurysm was found to be cholecystitis in 41 instances (61.2%), cholecystectomy in 18 instances (26.8%), idiopathic in 6 instances (8.9%) cholelithiasis in 1 instance (1.5%), and pancreatitis in 1 instance (1.5%). Complications: Fifty-two cases were complicated by haemobilia (77.6%), 36 by anaemia (53.7%), 25 by biliary obstruction (37.3%), 13 by haemodynamic shock (19.4%), 9 by haemoperitoneum (13.4%), and 6 by contained rupture (8.9%). Most commonly, patients had two or more of these complications. Management: Forty-four patients were managed with endovascular embolisation (65.7%), 21 with endoscopic intervention (31.3%), 18 with open cholecystectomy (26.9%), 13 with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (19.4%), and 6 with pseudoaneurysm ligation (9%). Delayed presentation postcholecystectomy ranged from 8 days to 3 years. Conclusions. Cystic artery pseudoaneurysms are rare complications of a common operation. The most common clinical presentation is haemobilia, which can be difficult to diagnose clinically. A high index of suspicion and prompt investigation with targeted imaging and intervention is required. This is especially pertinent in gastrointestinal bleeding postlaparoscopic cholecystectomy as a missed diagnosis could cause significant morbidity.

Post-laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Cystic Artery Stump Pseudoaneurysm Presenting With Haemobilia and Hematochezia: a Case Report With Literature Review

Background: Cystic artery stump pseudoaneurysm (CASP) is a potentially life-threating condition that can be related to multiple etiologies, especially the iatrogenic factor owing to the increased number of hepatobiliary procedures. Most patients present with haemobilia. Here we report a rare case of unusual presentation of CASP with recurrent haemobilia and hematochezia. Case presentation: A 38-year-old patient developed bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy which was identified by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Later, she developed haemobilia due to CASP which was then treated by trans-arterial embolization (TAE) followed by fresh bleeding per rectum one month later. The latter complication eventually required surgical ligation.Conclusions: CASP is a rare complication after cholecystectomy that can present as upper gastrointestinal bleeding or rarely as fresh bleeding per rectum. Level of evidence: Level 4, Case report and literature review

Anatomical Study of Variations of Cystic Artery and Contents of Calot’s Triangle in South Kerala - A Cross Sectional Study

BACKGROUND Cystic artery originates from right hepatic artery which is a branch of hepatic artery proper of coeliac trunk from abdominal aorta. Variations in the origin and course of cystic artery were observed in this study. Contents of Calot’s triangle were also studied. Knowledge of normal anatomy, variations of the biliary apparatus and the arterial supply to the gallbladder is important for surgeon. METHODS Descriptive cross-sectional study was done from April 2008 to January 2010 in 180 adult specimens and 50 foetal specimens in the Departments of Anatomy, Forensic Medicine and Pathology in Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. The abdominal wall was incised and hepatobiliary region was identified and dissected. The gallbladder and coeliac trunk were identified. Cystic artery and Calot’s triangle were studied. RESULTS More than 90 percent of the cystic artery originates from the right hepatic artery in both sexes. Cystic artery originated from left hepatic artery in 4 cases, common hepatic artery in 5 cases and from middle hepatic artery in 1 case. The cystic artery within Calot’s triangle was observed in 41 %. Right hepatic artery was content in 29.9 %. Both the arteries were content in 19 %. Cystic artery and accessory hepatic duct were content of Calot’s triangle in 2.2 %. Double cystic artery was content of the triangle in 1 cadaver. Artery or duct was seen outside the Calot’s triangle in 16 cadavers. CONCLUSIONS It is important for surgeons to know the variations of cystic artery and Calot’s triangle during surgical interventions of the hepato biliary region. “Cystic artery syndrome” is a condition where cystic artery is seen winding around cystic duct although it originates from right hepatic artery. Knowledge of these variations is important for surgeons and helps in better surgical outcome. KEYWORDS Cystic Artery, Calot’s Triangle, Right Hepatic, Gall Bladder, Coeliac Trunk

ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS OF EXTRA HEPATIC BILIARY SYSTEM IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY IN CMH & PEMH RAWALPINDI

Objective: To assess the frequency of anatomical variations of the extra-hepatic biliary tract in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Combined Military Hospital & Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of General Surgery, Combined Military Hospital & Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from Mar to Aug 2017. Methodology: A total of 136 patients of either gender with cholelithiasis of more than one month were included. Participants were distributed into equal number of groups for both hospitals by lottery method. All the participants had under gone laparoscopic cholecystectomy by consultant general surgeon or senior registrar under direct supervision. Structures mainly assessed for variations were gall bladder, cystic duct, common hepatic duct, supraduodenal part of common bile duct, cystic artery, and hepatic artery which were characteristically encountered during laparoscopy. Results: Overall Extra hepatic biliary variations were 136 (23%), at Combined Military Hospital 68 (16%) and Pak Emirates Military Hospital 68 (29.4%). Gall bladder anomaly was seen in 3% patients, cystic duct anomaly 4.4%, supraduodenal part of common bile duct anomaly 0.7%, cystic artery anomaly 11% and hepatic artery anomaly was seen in 3.6% patients (p>0.05). Conclusion: Anatomic variations were found to be not uncommon in our set up. Thus, there is a need for doctors to continuously refresh knowledge of normal anatomy and the variants of biliary tract.