Junction of the cystic duct with the left hepatic duct: report of a case discovered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract

We report a case of an anomalous junction of the cystic duct with the left hepatic duct found during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Only five other patients with this anatomy have been reported. Two of these five patients had left-sided gallbladders, and the remaining patients (including ours) had their gallbladder in its normal location. Although the prevalence of this anomaly associated with left-sided gallbladders is 5.6 to 14.3%, this anomaly appears to be quite rare in patients with gallbladders in the normal position. In four cases, it was accompanied by left-sided gallbladder or low bifurcation of the common hepatic duct. This rare condition may accompany other biliary anomalies and should be kept in mind when performing cholecystectomy.