We found variations in the gallbladder, hepatic artery, and cystic artery in an embalmed male cadaver in which all were noted double. Both the gallbladders had separate fundus, neck, and body, but their ducts were short and fused to form a single cystic duct. According to the literature, this pattern falls under ‘Y-shaped’ gall bladder. After opening the gallbladders, there were no gallstones found. It was noted that the accessory hepatic artery was also a content of the Calot’s triangle. This accessory hepatic artery was branching from the coeliac artery. The accessory cystic artery was branching from the accessory right hepatic artery. The anatomical details of the hepatic artery variations are significant because, during upper abdominal surgeries, it is important to preserve the hepatic arterial supply. In laparoscopic surgeries, the knowledge of variations of the gallbladder and cystic artery is essential to prevent their iatrogenic complications, such as arterial damage and biliary tract injury. The radiologists also need to have knowledge about duplication of the gall bladder, cystic and hepatic arteries to avoid misinterpretation.
‘Y’ shaped gallbladder associated with accessory cystic and hepatic arteries
Mangala M. Pai1, Hemalatha Bangera2, Amit Massand3, B.V. Murlimanju4, Latha V. Prabhu5, Y. Lakshmisha Rao6
1Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Father Muller’s Medical College, Kankanady, Mangalore, India.
3Tutor, Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
4Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
5Professor, Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
6Tutor, Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.