Solitary right hepatic artery passing anterior to the pancreas: a rare and challenging anatomical variant during Whipple procedure

Abstract

Anomalous hepatic arterial anatomy is a critical consideration during pancreaticoduodenectomy. We report a rare case of a solitary right hepatic artery (RHA) arising from the superior mesenteric artery with complete absence of the common hepatic artery, coursing through the pancreatic parenchyma and supplying the entire liver. A 62-year-old man underwent a Whipple procedure for a pancreatic head tumour. Intraoperatively, the RHA was preserved and reconstructed using an interposition graft from the great saphenous vein to maintain hepatic perfusion. The postoperative course was uncomplicated, and the patient was discharged on postoperative Day 9. Awareness of such variants is essential to prevent catastrophic hepatic ischemia during pancreatic surgery.