An article on the nomenclature of variations of cystic artery

Introduction: Safe procedures for laparoscopic cholecystectomy demand good knowledge of the anatomy of the terminal part of the cystic artery and its variations, and also precise dissection in and around the hepatobiliary tri angle. Method: Good laparoscopic visualisation enables recognition of the v ariation of the cystic artery. Our observations are based on 1000 cholecyst ectomies. Results: We have described and named variations of the terminal p art of the cystic artery. Group I comprises the five variations of the cyst ic artery within the hepatobiliary triangle: (a) "normal" position; (b) fro ntal cystic artery; (c) backside; (d) multiple; (e) short cystic artery tha t arises from an aberrant right hepatic artery. Group II consists of variat ions of the cystic artery that approach - the gallbladder beyond the hepato biliary triangle: (a) "low-lying"; (b) transhepatic; (c) "recurent" cystic artery. Conclusion: Our classification is simple and easy to memorise and w ill considerably facilitate safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy.