Anatomic variation of cystic artery in cholecystectomy for residents in Caribbean Region and its clinical significance

Objective To study the anatomic variation of cystic artery in cholecystectomy for residents in Caribbean Region and its clinical significance. Methods Of the 11 patients who underwent cholecystectomy during "Mission Hormonal 2011", 9 underwent laparotomy and 2 underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The characteristics, distribution and location of cystic artery were analyzed. Results The main-trunk cystic artery lesion was found in 2 patients (18.2%) and the multiple cystic artery branch lesion was observed in 9 patients (71.2%). The two main-trunk cystic artery branches were located in the cystic triangle. Of the multiple cystic artery branches, 2 were located in the posterolateral cystic duct. The cystic artery was mainly located in the left neck of gallbladder (37.5%) followed by in Hartmann pouch (12.5%), in right neck of gallbladder (12.5%), in neck and body juncture (12.5%). Conclusion Full understanding of the types, distribution and common locations of cystic artery and precise dissection of Calot's triangle can reduce intra-operative bleeding, hepatic artery and bile duct injury, thus increasing the success rate of cholecystectomy.