Intrapancreatic Common Hepatic Artery Arising From the Superior Mesenteric Artery, a Challenging Anatomic Variation in a Multiorgan Harvesting

Abstract

IntroductionUnderstanding abdominal vascular anatomy is crucial for multiorgan recovery. In this case report, we have described a common hepatic artery that arises from the superior mesenteric artery but follows an intrapancreatic course. MethodsThe donor was ideal for multiorgan recovery and the recipient was a 29-year-old woman awaiting a second transplant owing to primary nonfunction of her first engrafted organ. The indication for transplantation was secondary biliary cirrhosis. A type I diabetic recipient on dialysis therapy was awaiting the kidney and pancreas. ResultsThe urgent condition of our liver recipient combined with the anatomical finding prioritized liver procurement, therefore the pancreas was discarded. ConclusionsThe recognition of all anatomic variations will allow us to improve the use of the scarce resource of deceased donor organs.