ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the cystic artery and its variations is essential to perform safe cholecystectomies. The cystic artery originates from the right hepatic artery, passing posterior to the common hepatic duct, anterior to the cystic duct, and branching into two branches at the neck of the gallbladder. However, variations in position, size, and relationship with adjacent structures are common.
AIMS: This article presents a literature review regarding cystic artery variations and their frequency during cholecystectomies.
METHODS: The articles selected for this review were chosen from the PubMed and SciELO databases. The standardized descriptors used were anatomic variation and cholecystectomy. These were chosen using the “Medical Subject Headings” and combined with the Boolean operator AND and the non-standard descriptor cystic artery.
RESULTS: It was found in 54.5% of the studies that the anatomical pattern of the cystic artery was the most frequent type. A different origin from the standard was cited in 63.6% of the articles. Double irrigation of the gallbladder was found in 59.1%. In 36.4%, the cystic artery was anterior to the common hepatic duct or the cystic duct. Cystic arteries outside Calot’s triangle were found in 36.4%. Short cystic arteries were found in 13.6%. The absence or non-identification of the artery was reported in 9.1%.
CONCLUSIONS: Variations of the cystic artery are common and are frequently reported. One aspect of a safe cholecystectomy is anatomical knowledge and its possible variations. Thus, surgeons must be familiar with this point in order to reduce vascular and biliary injuries.
HEADINGS:
Anatomy; Cholecystectomy; Anatomic Variation; Hepatic Artery
RESUMO
RACIONAL: O conhecimento anatômico da artéria cística e de suas variações é essencial para a realização de colecistectomias seguras. A artéria cística possui origem na artéria hepática direita, passando posteriormente ao ducto hepático comum, anteriormente ao ducto cístico, ramificando-se em dois ramos no colo da vesícula biliar. Todavia, variações de posição, tamanho e relação com estruturas adjacentes são comuns.
OBJETIVOS: Este artigo apresenta uma revisão de literatura em relação às variações da artéria cística e sua frequência durante colecistectomias.
MÉTODOS: Os artigos selecionados desta revisão foram escolhidos a partir das bases de dados PubMed e SciELO. Utilizou-se os descritores padronizados: Anatomic variation e cholecystectomy. Estes, foram escolhidos usando o “Medical Subject Headings” e combinados com o operador booleano AND e o descritor não padronizado Cystic artery.
RESULTADOS: Verificou-se em 54,5% dos estudos que o padrão anatômico da artéria cística foi o tipo de maior ocorrência. Citou-se uma origem diferente do padrão em 63,6% dos artigos. Encontrou-se a irrigação dupla da vesícula biliar em 59,1%. Em 36,4% a artéria cística estava anteriormente ao ducto hepático comum ou ao ducto cístico. Encontrou-se artérias císticas fora do triângulo de Calot em 36,4%. Artérias císticas curtas foram encontradas em 13,6%. Relatou-se a ausência ou não identificação da artéria em 9,1%.
CONCLUSÕES: Variações da artéria cística são comuns, sendo frequentemente relatadas. Um aspecto de uma colecistectomia segura é o conhecimento anatômico e de possíveis variações. Assim, cirurgiões devem estar familiarizados com este ponto a fim de reduzir lesões vasculares e biliares.
DESCRITORES:
Anatomia; Colecistectomia; Variação Anatômica; Artéria Hepática
First described by Jean-François Calot in 1891, the hepatobiliary triangle is an anatomical landmark of undeniable importance for performing cholecystectomies. The cystic artery supplies the gallbladder and originates from the right hepatic artery, passing posterior to the common hepatic duct, anterior to the cystic duct, and reaching the upper part of the gallbladder neck, where it divides into two branches: a superficial branch, which runs along the peritoneal surface of the gallbladder, and a deep branch, which lies in the gallbladder fossa between the gallbladder and the liver. Its position, size, and relationship with adjacent structures influence surgical procedures for a safe cholecystectomy, as its origin, number, and course can vary, as well as its presence within the triangle.
Variations of the cystic artery are not uncommon findings, with different anatomical variations being reported during cholecystectomies, as cited in the present review. One of the key aspects of a safe cholecystectomy is knowledge of the anatomy and potential anatomical variations. Therefore, surgeons should be familiar with these aspects during cholecystectomies to reduce the incidence of vascular or biliary injuries. Thus, the fundamental importance of understanding the possible variations of this structure is emphasized, as it may have implications for surgical interventions and imaging studies related to the abdominal region.
INTRODUCTION
First described by Jean-François Calot in 1891, the hepatobiliary triangle is an anatomical landmark of undeniable importance for performing cholecystectomies1. Fundamentally, this triangle is bounded superiorly by the inferior border of the liver, inferiorly by the cystic duct, and medially by the common hepatic duct (Figure 1). Its contents include the cystic artery, a variable portion of the right hepatic artery, the cystic lymph node and lymphatic vessels, as well as fibrous-adipose connective tissue1,13,20.
Boundaries of Calot’s triangle and its contents, as well as the normal course of the cystic artery to the gallbladder. Additionally, some arteries from which the cystic artery may have a variant origin are also presented (Author’s Source).
The cystohepatic triangle is an area where anatomical variations are commonly found and can impact surgical performance during cholecystectomy. It is unquestionable that, in addition to surgical skills and techniques, knowledge and understanding of Calot’s triangle enable digestive system surgeons to manage potential anatomical variations and carefully dissect the triangle to properly identify the region and avoid injury to the extrahepatic biliary tree and blood vessels, as cystic artery bleeding is a significant complication during cholecystectomies due to its impact on abdominal visibility11,12.
The cystic artery supplies the gallbladder and originates from the right hepatic artery, passing posterior to the common hepatic duct, anterior to the cystic duct, and reaching the upper part of the gallbladder neck, where it divides into two branches: a superficial branch, which runs along the peritoneal surface of the gallbladder, and a deep branch, which lies in the gallbladder fossa between the gallbladder and the liver (Figure 1)1,8. Its position, size, and relationship with adjacent structures influence surgical procedures for a safe cholecystectomy, as its origin, number, and course may vary, as well as its presence within the triangle6,13.
The anatomical knowledge of Calot’s triangle is considered an important factor in reducing surgical complications5,9. Additionally, it allows for better planning and interventions in unique cases. For these reasons, the search for records on anatomical variations of the cystic artery found during cholecystectomies was necessary, as well as their clinical implications.
METHODS
This study was conducted through a systematic literature review with a qualitative exploratory approach from July to October 20227. The articles used for this review were selected from the PubMed and SciELO databases. For the development of this review, a preliminary research phase was carried out, involving an extensive investigation of the anatomical variations of the cystic artery during cholecystectomies, leading to the research question: “What are the prevalence rates of anatomical variations of the cystic artery found during cholecystectomies?” Studies related to the topic were selected and read in full, with those unrelated to the study being excluded. The studies that were relevant to the research were discussed, and their results are presented in this review. For the selection of these studies, standardized descriptors were chosen using MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) and combined with the Boolean operator AND, along with the non-standardized descriptor cystic artery. The terms used in the study search are presented in Table 1.
For data analysis, exclusion and inclusion criteria were established, which were assessed by two reviewers guided by the research question and eligibility criteria. The inclusion method focused on studies describing variations of the cystic artery based on cholecystectomies performed on humans over 18 years of age. Thus, full articles and case reports written in English or Spanish were included, regardless of the year of publication. As for the exclusion criteria, review articles, studies conducted on animal models, data obtained from cadaveric dissections and tomography, research involving human samples under 18 years of age, duplicate articles, or studies whose content did not align with the review’s objective were not selected.
RESULTS
The study identification diagram based on database searches and PRISMA guidelines is presented in Figure 2. Initially, 95 articles were identified through database searches using standardized descriptors. Of these, 62 were excluded for lacking relevant data or being duplicates across platforms. During the screening stage, 33 studies were selected, with none excluded after title and abstract analysis. These studies were then selected for full-text reading, and 2 were excluded due to unavailability in full. Thus, 31 articles were evaluated based on the eligibility criteria, and of these, 22 were included in the final analysis sample.
Table 2 presents the main findings of the studies used for discussion. It is stratified by year of publication, study sample, and main results.
Characteristics of studies evaluating the occurrence of anatomical variations of the cystic artery in humans during cholecystectomies.
DISCUSSION
This review aimed to investigate the variant forms of the cystic artery described through the analysis of cholecystectomies. In most of the included studies (54.5%), it was found that the normal anatomical pattern of the cystic artery was the most frequently occurring type. This is the expected pattern for the majority of individuals. The cystic artery arises from the right hepatic artery and courses within Calot’s triangle to the right and posterior to the common hepatic duct, then passes superiorly to the cystic duct at the neck of the gallbladder, bifurcating into a superficial and a deep branch to supply the gallbladder and the cystic duct3.
In the study by Noguera et al.22, it was observed that 91.6% of patients exhibited the classic presentation pattern of the cystic artery. Similarly, Larobina et al.17 observed this pattern in 88.2% of patients. In the study by Singh et al.25, the same pattern was noted in 71% of patients.
Cystic arteries with origins different from the classic pattern (right hepatic artery) were reported in 14 of the 22 articles selected in this review (63.6%). Among these 14 articles, 6 reported cystic arteries originating from the gastroduodenal artery, 6 from variants of the right hepatic artery, 2 from the left hepatic artery, 2 from the common hepatic artery or its bifurcation, 1 from the middle hepatic artery, 1 from the hepatic segment IV artery, 1 from the “Moynihan’s hump,” and in 2, the abnormal origin was not specified16. Additionally, 3 studies reported cystic arteries originating directly from the hepatic parenchyma.
Dual blood supply to the gallbladder was found in 59.1% of the selected articles. Among these, the most common presentation pattern was a superficial or anterior cystic artery and a deep or posterior one.
Variations were also observed regarding the position of the cystic artery in relation to the components of the biliary tree. In 8 of the 22 articles (36.4%), the cystic artery was located anteriorly to the common hepatic duct or the cystic duct.
Another finding present in the studies included in this review was the presence of cystic arteries outside Calot’s triangle, a variation reported in 36.4% of the selected articles.
Other described variations include the presence of short cystic arteries, mentioned in 3 of the 22 articles (13.6%) selected for this review. Finally, the absence or non-identification of the cystic artery was reported in 2 articles (9.1%).
CONCLUSIONS
Variations of the cystic artery are not uncommon findings, with different anatomical variations being reported during cholecystectomies, as cited in this review. One of the key aspects of a safe cholecystectomy is the understanding of anatomy and possible anatomical variations. Therefore, surgeons must be familiar with these aspects during cholecystectomies to reduce the incidence of vascular or biliary injuries. Thus, the fundamental importance of understanding the possible variations of this structure is emphasized, as it may have implications for surgical interventions and imaging studies related to the abdominal region.
REFERENCES
-
1 Abdalla S, Pierre S, Ellis H. Calot's triangle. Clin Anat. 2013;26(4):493-501. https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.22170
» https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.22170 -
2 Akay T, Leblebici M. Incidence of double cystic artery: a clinical study. Int Surg J. 2020;7(9):2837-42. https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20203499
» https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20203499 -
3 Ata AH. Cystic artery identification during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. J Laparoendosc Surg. 1991;1(6):313-8. https://doi.org/10.1089/lps.1991.1.313
» https://doi.org/10.1089/lps.1991.1.313 -
4 Balija M, Huis M, Nikolic V, Stulhofer M. Laparoscopic visualization of the cystic artery anatomy. World J Surg. 1999;23(7):703-7; discussion 707. https://doi.org/10.1007/pl00012372
» https://doi.org/10.1007/pl00012372 -
5 Blitzkow ACB, Freitas ACT, Coelho JCU, Campos ACL, Costa MAR, Buffara-Junior VA, et al. Critical view of safety: a prospective surgical and photographic analysis in laparoscopic cholecystectomy - does it help to prevent iatrogenic lesions? Arq Bras Cir Dig. 2024;37:e1827. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-6720202400034e1827
» https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-6720202400034e1827 -
6 Coelho JCU, Costa MAR, Enne M, Torres OJM, Andraus W, Campos ACL. Acute cholecystitis in high-risk patients. Surgical, radiological, or endoscopic treatment? Brazilian College of Digestive Surgery position paper. Arq Bras Cir Dig. 2023;36:e1749. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-672020230031e1749
» https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-672020230031e1749 -
7 Cordeiro AM, Oliveira GM, Rentería JM, Guimarães CA. Revisão sistemática: uma revisão narrativa. Rev Col Bras Cir. 2007;34(6):428-31. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-69912007000600012
» https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-69912007000600012 -
8 Dandekar U, Dandekar K. Cystic artery: morphological study and surgical significance. Anat Res Int. 2016;2016:7201858. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/7201858
» https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/7201858 -
9 Ding YM, Wang B, Wang WX, Wang P, Yan JS. New classification of the anatomic variations of cystic artery during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. World J Gastroenterol. 2007;13(42):5629-34. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v13.i42.5629
» https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v13.i42.5629 -
10 Eken H, Büyükakincak S, Çinar H, Topgül K. Rare observed anatomical variations of the hepatobiliary system: double cystic duct and double cystic artery. JAREM. 2015;5:80-2. https://doi.org/10.5152/jarem.2015.649
» https://doi.org/10.5152/jarem.2015.649 -
11 Fateh O, Wasi MSI, Bukhari SA. Anaotmical variability in the position of cystic artery during laparoscopic visualization. BMC Surg. 2021;21(1):263. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-021-01270-8
» https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-021-01270-8 -
12 Gadzijev EM. Surgical anatomy of hepatoduodenal ligament and hepatic hilus. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg. 2002;9(5):531-3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s005340200068
» https://doi.org/10.1007/s005340200068 -
13 Gupta V, Jain G. Safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy: adoption of universal culture of safety in cholecystectomy. World J Gastrointest Surg. 2019;11(2):62-84. https://doi.org/10.4240/wjgs.v11.i2.62
» https://doi.org/10.4240/wjgs.v11.i2.62 -
14 Katagiri H, Sakamoto T, Okumura K, Lefor AK, Kubota T. Aberrant right hepatic artery arising from the celiac trunk: a potential pitfall during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Asian J Endosc Surg. 2016;9(1):72-4. https://doi.org/10.1111/ases.12247
» https://doi.org/10.1111/ases.12247 -
15 Kim MJ, Yoon YC. Double cystic artery originating in a right and a segment iv hepatic artery: a case report. J Minim Invasive Surg. 2020;23(1):49-51. https://doi.org/10.7602/jmis.2020.23.1.49
» https://doi.org/10.7602/jmis.2020.23.1.49 -
16 Kim SH, Park S, Choi J. A cystic artery arising from the middle hepatic artery detected during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report. J Surg Case Rep. 2022;2022(1):rjab088. https://doi.org/10.1093/jscr/rjab088
» https://doi.org/10.1093/jscr/rjab088 -
17 Larobina M, Nottle PD. Extrahepatic biliary anatomy at laparoscopic cholecystectomy: is aberrant anatomy important? ANZ J Surg. 2005;75(6):392-5. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-2197.2005.03396.x
» https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-2197.2005.03396.x -
18 Martín Pérez JA, Domínguez Rodríguez JA, De Alba Cruz I, Lara Valdés AJ, Sánchez Baltazar AL, Perna Lozada L. Moynihan's Lump as an unusual variant of right hepatic artery during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy approach. A case report. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2021;85:106221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.106221
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.106221 -
19 Nagendram S, Lynes K, Hamade A. A case report on a left sided gallbladder: a rare finding during cholecystectomy. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2017;41:398-400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2017.11.004
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2017.11.004 -
20 Nagral S. Anatomy relevant to cholecystectomy. J Minim Access Surg. 2005;1(2):53-8. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-9941.16527
» https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-9941.16527 -
21 Nguyen TH, Nguyen TS, Van Nguyen PD, Dang TN, Talarico EF Jr. Sinistroposition: a case report of true left-sided gallbladder in a Vietnamese patient. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2018;51:82-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2018.08.018
» https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2018.08.018 -
22 Noguera MA, Romero CA, Martinez AG, Diaz SRH, Rotger M, Espeche F. Hallazgos y propuesta de sistematización de las variaciones quirúrgicamente importantes de la arteria cística en un estudio in vivo en 2000 colecistectomías laparoscópicas ambulatorias. Int J Morphol. 2020;38(1):30-4. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0717-95022020000100030
» https://doi.org/10.4067/S0717-95022020000100030 -
23 Pavlidis TE, Psarras K, Triantafyllou A, Marakis GN, Sakantamis AK. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for severe acute cholecystitis in a patient with situs inversus totalis and posterior cystic artery. Diagn Ther Endosc. 2008;2008:465272. https://doi.org/10.1155/2008/465272
» https://doi.org/10.1155/2008/465272 - 24 Pereira-Graterol F, Siso-Calderón L. Technical considerations during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with situs inversus totalis. Cir Cir. 2009;77(2):145-8. PMID: 19534868
-
25 Singh H, Singh NK, Kaul RK, Gupta A, Tiwari S. Prevalence of anatomical variations of cystic artery during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Int Surg J. 2019;6(10):3781-5. https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20194441
» https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20194441 -
26 Singh K, Singh R, Kaur M. Clinical reappraisal of vasculobiliary anatomy relevant to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. J Minim Access Surg. 2017;13(4):273-9. https://doi.org/10.4103/jmas.JMAS_268_16
» https://doi.org/10.4103/jmas.JMAS_268_16 -
27 Suzuki M, Akaishi S, Rikiyama T, Naitoh T, Rahman MM, Matsuno S. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Calot's triangle, and variations in cystic arterial supply. Surg Endosc. 2000;14(2):141-4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649900086
» https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649900086 - 28 Talpur KAH, Laghari AA, Yousfani SA, Malik AM, Memon AI, Khan SA. Anatomical variations and congenital anomalies of extra hepatic biliary system encountered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. J Pak Med Assoc. 2010;60(2):89-93. PMID: 20209691
-
29 Torres K, Torres A, Chroscicki A, Staskiewicz G, Kachaniuk J, Pietrzyk L, et al. The influence of anatomical variations of the cystic artery inside Calot's triangle on the surgical procedure in patients with carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum. Videosurgery and Other Miniinvasive Techniques. 2011;2:57-63. https://doi.org/10.5114/wiitm.2011.23211
» https://doi.org/10.5114/wiitm.2011.23211 -
30 Yamazaki S, Takayama T, Yoshida N, Mitsuka Y, Yan M, Arima H, et al. Aberrant anterior branch of segment V traveling ventrally across the gallbladder: a case of critical anatomy. Surg Radiol Anat. 2020;42(12):1479-81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-020-02557-w
» https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-020-02557-w - 31 Zubair M, Habib L, Mirza RM, Channa MA, Yousuf M, Quraishy MS. Anatomical variations of cystic artery: telescopic facts. Med J Malaysia. 2012;67(5):494-6. PMID: 23770866
-
How to cite this article:
Schiewe JA, Miranda LHG, Romano RM, Romano MA. Anatomic variations of the cystic artery during cholecystectomies: is it important for the surgeon to know? ABCD Arq Bras Cir Dig. 2025;38e1880. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-67202025000011e1880
-
Financial source:
None
-
Editorial Support:
National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).
Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
12 May 2025 -
Date of issue
2025
History
-
Received
07 Dec 2022 -
Accepted
16 Nov 2024






