Prevalence of Hepatocystoduodenal and Hepatocystocolic Ligaments in Western Odisha Population – A Cadaveric Study
Sarita Behera, Mamata Sar, Ravindra Kumar Chowdhury, Sabita SinghAbstract
Background:
Surgeons, radiologists, and anatomists come across various peritoneal folds while exploring the abdominal region. Hepatocystoduodenal and hepatocystocolic ligaments are two such peritoneal folds connecting the liver or gallbladder to the duodenum or colon, respectively. This current work is undertaken to find the prevalence of hepatocystoduodenal and hepatocystocolic ligaments in cadavers, their role in the development of the gut, and the association of other abnormalities of the gut with them.
Methodology:
This cross-sectional study was performed on 40 adult cadavers allotted for dissection classes of 1 st -year MBBS students. During the dissection of the abdominal cavity, careful observation was done for the presence of hepatocystoduodenal and hepatocystocolic ligaments and any associated abnormality of the gut.
Results:
Hepatocystoduodenal and hepatocystocolic ligaments were found in 13 (32.5%) cadavers. Out of 13 cadavers, 4 had two such ligaments making the total number to be 17. The frequency of the cystocolic ligament was the highest, i.e., 7 of 17 (41.1%). In 11 (84.6%) cadavers, associated congenital abnormalities of the gut such as redundant transverse colon (5), mobile descending colon (2), fixed sigmoid colon (2), redundant sigmoid colon (1), and nonrotation (1) were found. In four cadavers, abnormalities of the gallbladder (3 floating and 1 hypotrophic) were associated. Hypotrophy of the left lobe in the liver, accessory liver lobe, pons hepatis, diaphragmatic sulci, and elongation of uncinate process of the pancreas were the other associated visceral abnormalities. Three cadavers had peritoneal bands at five different sites apart from these ligaments.
Conclusion:
The high prevalence and associated gut abnormalities in the current study urge the need for future research to establish the molecular origin of these ligaments.