Vol. 3, Issue 4, Part I (2019)

Background and Objective: Hepatobiliary surgery may only be performed safely and effectively if the anatomical differences of the bile ducts are understood. If biliary anomalies are not identified before or during surgery, they can cause problems with cholecystectomy, liver resections, and liver transplants. The purpose of this research was to determine the prevalence and nature of anatomical changes affecting the extrahepatic biliary ducts and to draw conclusions about the surgical implications of these findings.

Materials and Methods: During the course of a year, the liver and biliary systems of fifty adult human cadavers fixed with formalin were dissected. The Department of Anatomy at the I-Care Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Haldia, West Bengal, India, conducted this descriptive, cross-sectional cadaveric study from October 2018 to September 2019. Thorough research and documentation were made regarding the structure of the extrahepatic biliary ducts, which encompass not only the right and left hepatic ducts but also the common hepatic duct, cystic duct, and common bile duct. The presence of auxiliary ducts, variations in ductal confluence, and cystic duct insertion were documented. Using well-established anatomical classifications (such as Huang's and Choi's), all results were categorized.

Results: A common hepatic duct with an appropriately placed cystic duct was present in 68% of the specimens, indicating the traditional biliary anatomy. About 1 in 14 cases had a non-standard right hepatic duct that emptied into the common or cystic ducts. Extreme cystic duct insertion into the right hepatic duct occurred in 10% of cases. Ducts of Luschka, or auxiliary bile ducts, were detected in just 6% of cases. Hepatic ducts were discovered to be trifurcated in 2% of individuals. These variations highlight the significance of being cautious during hepatobiliary procedures and having good vision, especially when performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Conclusion: The typical anatomical variations of the bile ducts must be considered by radiologists and surgeons so that they do not injure patients on their own. Reduced complications are possible due to the occurrence of these variants, meticulous preoperative dissection, and imaging. The importance of anatomical education in improving surgical outcomes is demonstrated by this cadaveric investigation.