Morphological Variations of Cystic Artery in Triangle of Calot in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Experience in Tertiary Care Surgical Unit in South Asian Country

Introduction: The knowledge and realization of the frequency and multiplicity of abnormalities of the cystic artery is aperquisite for safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Objective:To describe the morphological characteristics of the cystic artery in the triangle of Calot. Methods: Descriptive-prospective cross sectional study was performed in 200 patients, who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallbladder disease, to observe variations cystic artery. Results: Eighty-nine percent (178/200) of the cystic arteries originated as a single artery from the right branch of the hepatic artery. Five percent (10/200) had two cystic arteries originating separately from right hepatic artery while 5 % (10/200) of cystic arteries passed anterior to the common hepatic duct and 1%(2/200) traversed over cystic duct. Majority, 41%(82/200) of the patients right hepatic artery was ling in the triangle of Calot’s. Two percent (4/200) of the patients had right hepatic artery running over the common hepatic duct. Conclusion:It has been observed that the variation of the cystic artery in the triangle of Calot is not infrequent and this knowledge will enhance the safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy.