A thorough understanding of intrahepatic vascular and biliary anatomy is essential for hepatobiliary procedures such as segmentectomy, portal vein embolization, and living donor liver transplantation. Traditional cadaveric dissections and imaging techniques often fail to preserve the three-dimensional spatial orientation of these structures. Resin corrosion casting offers a durable alternative that allows detailed visualization. This study aimed to assess portal vein branching and portal triad arrangements using liver specimens prepared via acrylic resin corrosion casting. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 adult human liver specimens obtained during autopsies of unclaimed medico-legal cases. The portal vein (PV), hepatic artery (HA), and bile duct (BD) were injected with colored cold-cure acrylic resin, followed by tissue corrosion using hydrochloric acid. Branching patterns of the portal vein up to the third order and the spatial arrangement of portal triad structures were documented. Descriptive statistics were applied for data analysis.
All specimens exhibited Type I bifurcation of the main portal vein (MPV). Second-order branches of the right and left portal veins (RPV and LPV) bifurcated in 94% and 96% of cases, respectively. Third-order branches showed considerable variation, particularly in the right posterior portal vein (RPPV) and left superior segmental vein (LSSV). The proper hepatic artery consistently bifurcated, and 90% of bile ducts showed typical confluence. Triad structures maintained consistent orientation, with arteries posterior/inferior and ducts anterior to the veins. Acrylic corrosion casting effectively reveals intrahepatic vascular and biliary anatomy, offering valuable support for surgical planning and anatomical education.
