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. 2021 Apr;11(4):1313-1321.
doi: 10.21037/qims-20-780.

A practical study of the hepatic vascular system anatomy of the caudate lobe

Wei Mao  1 , Xinhua Jiang  1 , Yong Cao  1 , Shaojun Xiong  1 , Yihua Huang  1 , Leiming Jiao  1 , Hee Jung Wang  2
Affiliations

A practical study of the hepatic vascular system anatomy of the caudate lobe

Wei Mao et al. Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to examine the inflow and outflow vascular system of the caudate lobe and determine its relevance to hepatobiliary surgery.

Methods: A total of 41 cadaveric liver specimens were dissected in 2019 to evaluate the inflow and outflow vascular system of the caudate lobe.

Results: The Glisson's pedicles of the paracaval portion were mainly from the right pedicle in 14 cases (34.15%), mainly from the left pedicle in 22 cases (53.66%), and equally from the left and right pedicle in 5 cases (12.19%). Many thick branches of the portal vein were found behind the plane consisting of the hilar plate and Arantius ligament, but none of them were thicker than 1 mm in front of the plane. All of the veins of the caudate lobe drained into the inferior vena cava (IVC) via the anterior face. There was an avascular zone without short hepatic veins (SHVs) consisting of loose connective tissue between the retrohepatic IVC and caudate lobe, with its length and width being 45-97 mm and 6-15 mm, respectively.

Conclusions: The plane consisting of the hilar plate and Arantius ligament can be regarded as the boundary between the caudate lobe and the other lobes. There is an avascular zone without SHVs consisting of loose connective tissue between the retrohepatic IVC and caudate lobe.

Keywords: Caudate lobe; anatomy; retrohepatic inferior vena cava (retrohepatic IVC).

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/qims-20-780). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The portal vein of the paracaval portion. The arrows indicate the portal veins of the paracaval portion.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The portal veins of the paracaval portion.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The left and right boundary of the paracaval portion. (A) The left boundary of the paracaval portion; (B) the right boundary of the paracaval portion. IVC, inferior vena cava; LPV, left portal vein; RPV, right portal vein.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The plane consisting of the hilar plate and Arantius ligament.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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