Frequency of Extra Hepatic Biliary Tree Anomalies Seen During Cholecystectomy

Objective: This study was undertaken to identify various anomalies of the extra hepatic biliary tree seen during cholecystectomy. Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration: This study was carried out in the Department of surgery, D H Q Hospital, Sargodha from April 2007 to September 2008. Patients and Methods: Patients of either gender and all ages, who had cholelithiasis and underwent open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in the study. A detailed history was taken followed by clinical examination and ancillary investigations. The history, examination findings, investigations and peroperative findings were all documented on a detailed pro-forma. Results: Out of 100, 80 patients were females while the rest were males. Majority of the patients were in their fourth and fifth decades of life. Moynihan’s hump and accessory cystic artery were the most frequently found anomalies ( each n=6 ), followed by double cystic duct (n=1) and long cystic duct (n=1). There was no mortality in this series. Conclusion: Extra hepatic biliary tree anomalies are found in a significant number of patients. A sound knowledge of their normal anatomy, various anomalies and judicious use of intra-operative cholangiography is imperative to avoid accidental trauma to the extra hepatic biliary channels and vessels