A study of anatomy of calot’s triangle and its clinical significance

Aim: The study was aimed at observing and documenting the variations in the boundaries and contents of the Calot’s triangle by meticulous dissection. Material and Methods: Twenty formalin-fixed cadavers from the department of anatomy were dissected meticulously and all anatomical variations of the Calot’s triangle were noted and photographed. Results: 95% (19/20) of the dissected cadavers showed normal boundaries of the Calot’s triangle while in 5% (1/20) the medial border was formed by two parallel hepatic ducts. The cystic artery and part of the right hepatic artery or its branch along with some additional structures were contents of the Calot’s triangle in 40% (8/20) of the cadavers studied, only cystic artery was a content in 25% (5/20), only right hepatic artery or its branch in 10% (2/20), right hepatic artery and portal vein in 5% (1/20), only portal vein in 5% (1/20) and only the substance of the liver in 15% (3/20) of the cadavers dissected. Conclusion: The Calot’s triangle is an anatomical space in the right sub hepatic area and it is bounded medially by the common hepatic duct, laterally by the cystic duct and superiorly by the inferior border of the liver. Variations are known to exist in the boundaries and more importantly in the contents of the triangle which are of great surgical importance. Variations involving the boundaries and contents of the triangle need to be given due consideration during a cholecystectomy to prevent possible mishaps during clipping and ligature of arteries and ducts.