Pancreaticoduodenectomy in the presence of a common hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery. Technical implications

•24–48% patients present variations of the celiac axis and superior mesenteric artery.•Arterial injury during pancreaticoduodenectomy may have dramatic consequences.•Prior pancreaticoduodenectomy, a CT-scan with angiography should be performed.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is considered a technically demanding task. Anatomic variations in duodenopancreatic vascularization [celiac axis and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA)] may carry a risk of potentially life-threatening vascular injury. We retrospectively report a modified PD technique performed in two patients presenting with a Common Hepatic Artery (CHA) originating from SMA. The CHA anatomical pattern was known prior surgical procedure. The main modification consisted in cutting pancreas prior dividing the CHA and the gastroduodenal artery. No intraoperative incident was reported. Perioperative outcomes were unremarkable, no vascular injury or hepatic ischemia was reported. Surgeons planning a PD must analyze in depth imaging (CT-scan with 3D angiography) and try to find these patterns. Furthermore, some rare arterial variations may be met and change typical surgical plan. Knowing prior procedure the arterial pattern and keeping in mind expendable or vital vessels allow to accomplish unusual but effective operations.