Features of vascular anatomy in pancreaticoduodenal resection

In about 55–79% of patients, the vascular anatomy of the hepatic-pancreaticoduodenal area is characterized by a typical structure. In the rest of patients, the vascular and, primarily, arterial anatomy may vary due to both different variants of branches and additional arteries. Undoubtedly, this creates difficulties in surgical planning and performing pancreaticoduodenal resection. Vascular anatomic variations may contribute to increased intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, changes in the course and volume of surgery, and increased duration of hospital stay after surgery. Modern diagnostic methods, CT angiography in particular, facilitate the process of surgical planning and reduce the risk of unforeseen situations related to ligation or damage of arterial vessels, which are to be preserved during operations. In this work, we carry out a review of publications on the topography of arterial vessels in the area of pancreaticoduodenal resection. The issues related to anatomical variations in both trunk and pancreatic vessels are considered. Special attention is paid to the possible influence of variations in the vascular network structure on the course and volume of surgery, as well as the risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications.