A Study of Anatomical Variations in the Origin, Length and Branches of Celiac Trunk and Its Surgical Significance

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Pushpalatha K., Associate Professor, JSS Medical College, JSS University, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Nagara, Mysore 570 015, Karnataka, India. E-Mail: [email protected] Introduction: The anatomical variations of the Celiac trunk and its branches are due to developmental changes in the ventral splanchnic arteries. The arterial variations like other anatomical variations cannot be ignored during the operative procedures in abdomen. It is of great importance for the surgeon and radiologists during surgical and radiological procedures in upper abdomen. Main objective of the present study is to known the level of origin, length and variation in the branches of the Celiac trunk. Materials and Methods: Study included 35 embalmed cadavers and 15 post mortem specimens. After the student studied the Celiac trunk the finer dissection was done and all the branches were traced. Results: Length of Celiac trunk was between 0.4-2.9 cms. In 52% of cases it was between 1.1 – 1.5 cms, followed by 0.5-1m in 25% , 11% is between 1.6-2cms, only in 3 cases it was more than 2 cms. Celiac trunk with only 3 branches –Leftgastric, Common hepatic and Splenic artery was seen only in 72% of cases. In 20% of cases there was more than 3 branches. In 18% of cases Celiac trunk was giving origin to Inferior phrenic arteries. In 4% of cases the Celiac trunk was incomplete (gastro splenic trunk) giving only Leftgastric and Splenic, Common hepatic was directly arising from Aorta. Celiac trunk was absent in 4% of cases and all the 3 branches were arising directly from Aorta. Conclusion: Variation in the branches of Celiac trunk is very common. Knowledge about these variations is important for Surgeons during upper abdominal surgeries and for Radiologists during selective arteriography.