Variations of the cystic artery in Chinese adults.

The origin and course of the cystic artery related to the Calot triangle were studied in 72 autopsies. The cystic artery arises from many possible origins; the right hepatic artery is the most common origin (76.6%). The Calot triangle (hepatocystic triangle), which is an important imaginary referent area for biliary surgery, is bounded by the common hepatic duct (CHD), the cystic duct, and the cystic artery. Of all the cystic arteries, 86.1% coursed through the Calot triangle, and 100% of the cystic arteries originating from the right hepatic artery coursed through the Calot triangle. However, only 54% of the cystic arteries that originated from the left, bifurcation, proper, and common hepatic arteries ran through the triangle. None of the cystic arteries that originated from the gastroduodenal, celiac, superior mesentery, or superior pancreaticoduodenal arteries passed through the triangle. Furthermore, 72.7% of the cystic arteries that originated from the right hepatic artery ran beneath the CHD as they entered the Calot triangle; the others ran anterior to the CHD. Of the cystic arteries that arose from locations other than the right hepatic artery, 29.4% ran posterior to the CHD, and 11.8% ran anterior to the CHD. The current study provides detailed information about anatomic variance in Chinese adults that may help avoid injury during open or laparoscopic cholecystectomies.