A rare variation of hepatic artery arising from the left gastric artery in a Sri Lankan cadaver

Abstract

Introduction Anatomical variations of the arterial supply of the liver are frequently found. The normal hepatic arterial anatomy as described in classic text books is only found in 52-80% of cases. Knowledge of the hepatic arterial anatomical variations are important for those surgeons who perform liver transplant and hepatobilliary operations, to prevent vascular damage while performing surgery. Objective To describe a rare variation of hepatic artery arising from the left gastric artery in a Sri Lankan cadaver. Methodology This variation was found when a dissection was performed on a 65 year old male cadaver with a weight of 73kg, for demonstration of the celiac trunk and its branches, at the anatomy dissection hall, Faculty of Medicine, Ragama. Results The hepatic artery was found to arise from the abnormally large left gastric artery of the celiac trunk and it was the only arterial supply of the liver. The splenic, left gastric and the gastro duodenal arteries were found to arise from the celiac trunk. Conclusion Knowledge of rare hepatic arterial variations is very important for hepatobiliary surgeons who perform frequent biliary tract operations and liver transplantations.