Introduction: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the arteries supplying the pancreaticoduodenal (PD) complex.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 15 fresh enbloc pancreatic specimens by latex injection method which enabled the visualization of the peripancreatic arteries and their minute branches.
Results: The gastroduodenal (GDA), anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal (ASPD), and anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal (AIPD) artery was found in all the cases, whereas the posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal (PSPD) and posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal (PIPD) artery was present in 93.34% cases. The ASPD artery originated from GDA in all the cases. Two types of variations were observed in the origin of PSPD artery and four types each in the origin of AIPD and PIPD artery. Anatomical and numerical variations were observed in both anterior and posterior arches, posterior arch being absent in 20% cases.
Conclusions: In the present study, an attempt was made to systematically describe the individual arterial configurations of the PD complex. The information provided here has important implications for preoperative planning of technically challenging surgeries and interventions around the pancreatic head.
Keywords: Endovascular; Pancreatic anatomy; Pancreatic surgery; Vascularization.