Anatomical Variations in the Arterial Supply of Gall Bladders in South Indian Cadavers

The knowledge of variations in the origin and course of cystic artery is important for the surgeons as uncontrolled bleeding from the cystic artery and its branches can be fatal during cholecystectomy that increases the risk of intraoperative lesions to vital vascular and biliary structures. The present study was undertaken on 100 human liver specimens with intact gallbladder and extrahepatic duct system, obtained from the Department of Anatomy and the Department of Forensic Medicine, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysore. The cystic artery was studied with regard to variations in the origin, length and diameter. It was observed that the origin of the cystic artery was normal in 92% of cases and variations were seen in rest 8% of cases. Most common source of origin of the cystic artery was the right hepatic artery (92%). The mean length of the cystic artery in the present study was 17.60 mm and ranged between 3.7 mm to 42 mm. Mean length in males was 17.40 mm and in females 17.88 mm. Mean external diameter of the cystic artery was 2.20 mm and ranged between 1.1 mm and 3.2 mm. No change in the external diameter of the cystic artery was noted through the entire course of the artery. Mean external diameter in males was 2.20 mm and in females 2.19 mm. No significant difference was observed in the external diameter between different age groups.