Radiology for surgeons: liver anatomy.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of literature and case reports with no systematic review methodology described
PubMed 41727897 · doi:10.3389/fsurg.2026.1743615
What was done
The authors conducted a review of published studies and case reports detailing anatomical variations of the hepatic vascular (portal vein, hepatic arteries, hepatic veins) and biliary systems, highlighting relevant radiological imaging findings for surgical decision-making.
What was found
The review reported that anatomical variations in the vascular and biliary systems of the liver occur in up to 50% of cases. Specific numeric breakdown for individual variants was not provided in the abstract.
Why it matters
Given that hepatic anatomical variations are present in up to half of patients, dedicated preoperative radiological evaluation and interdisciplinary collaboration are critical to prevent intraoperative complications in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery.
Limits
The abstract describes a non-systematic narrative review with an unspecified sample size (number of studies and case reports not reported). Detailed statistical outcomes and search methodologies are absent from the abstract.
Cited by
- supports The human liver is a highly vascular organ with substantial individual anatomical variability in blood vessels.