DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2016.v04i12.029

Pages: 975-977

Cystic artery is usually a branch of right hepatic artery given in the Calot’s triangle. Variations in the origin of cystic artery have been reported but there is paucity of literature regarding these in Indian subjects. The development of biliary vasculature is quite complex and it accounts for many variations. The present case describes the origin of cystic artery from the superior mesenteric artery, with an unusual course, which was detected during routine cadaveric dissection in an approximately 60 years old male cadaver. The embryological development and clinical implications of such a variant have been discussed in this article. Knowledge of cystic artery variability facilitates intraoperative identification of vessels in both classical and laparoscopic surgery of the bile ducts. This emphasises the importance of a thorough knowledge of the cystic arterial variations that often occur and may be encountered during both laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. Uncontrolled bleeding from the cystic artery and its branches is a serious problem that may increase the risk of intraoperative lesions to vital vascular and biliary structures during hepato-biliary surgery.