Incidence of Extrahepatic Portal Vein Anatomic Variations and Their Clinical Implications in Daily Practice.

Anatomical variations of the portal vein are relatively common and can affect the outcomes of hepatic resections, transplantations and interventional radiological procedures. The aim of this study was to review the literature regarding extrahepatic portal vein anomalies. Two main databases were searched for suitable articles, and results concerning more than 3,700 patients were included in the analysis. The most common anatomical variations of the portal vein were trifurcation and having a right posterior portal vein as the first branch of the main portal vein; these anomalies were found in 11.7% and 10.8% of cases, respectively.

The Anatomical Relationship of Inferior Thyroid Artery and Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve: A Review of the Literature and Its Clinical Importance.

BACKGROUND: Thyroidectomy is a quite common daily operation in general surgery. However, the anatomical structures of the region, mainly the relationship of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and inferior thyroid artery (ITA) makes the procedure challenging. The current review of the literature aims to report the anatomical variations of this relationship. METHODS: The preferred reporting items for systemic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used for the systematic review of the articles found after an extensive research through PubMed, Science Direct, EMBASE and Web of Science. A total of 16 studies were included for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the most common type of RLN was posterior to the ITA. However, according to Higgins I2 statistics the heterogeneity of the studies was quite high. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between the RLN and the ITA is quite variable. Anatomical knowledge of the region is vital for attempting to eliminate the risk of injuring the nerve during thyroidectomy.

Comparative Anatomical Study Between the Human and Swine Liver and Its Importance in Xenotransplantation.

The liver is a multifunctional organ; due to its functional and structural complexity, there are many factors that may lead it to function inadequately, a state called liver failure. Transplantation is the only appropriate therapy for patients in cases of liver failure. However, there are many limitations to this treatment, and the scientific community has considered methods based on pigs because of their unique structural and cellular compatibility with humans. In this review, we conducted an anatomic comparative study of the liver's parenchyma and vascular network between humans and pigs to extract useful information for xenotransplantation and autologous cell or organ generation in pigs. We reviewed articles from 2007 to 2019 and used the databases of Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar. We concluded that, despite the difference concerning the shape of the human and pig livers, the number of segments and the bile and vascular system are similar, making the pig liver useful in experimental surgery for xenotransplantation.

The Anatomical Characteristics of Corona Mortis: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Its Clinical Importance in Hernia Repair.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common daily operations in general surgery. However, the anatomical structures of the region, such as the corona mortis (the crown of death), make this procedure quite challenging. A comprehensive knowledge of its anatomy is essential, since massive hemorrhage may occur if the vessel is injured. The current review of the literature aimed to report the frequency and anatomical variations of vascular corona mortis. METHODS: A substantial study was coordinated through PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. The Prisma guidelines were used for the systematic review of the articles found. A total of 13 studies and 1,455 patients were included for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that corona mortis was present in about half the hemi-pelvises, and to be more accurate, the prevalence was 46%. Venous corona mortis was more frequent than the arterial type (42% vs. 25%). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the percentages mentioned above, every surgeon who schedules an operation on the retro-pubic area, especially during a hernioplasty procedure, should evaluate the possibility of the presence of corona mortis. Anatomical knowledge of the region is vital for attempting to eliminate the risk of injuring the corona mortis during surgery.