Uncommon hepatic arterial variation: replaced right hepatic artery originating from dorsal pancreatic artery

This case report describes a rare anatomical variation where the right hepatic artery (RHA) originates from the dorsal pancreatic artery in a healthy 51-year-old liver donor. Although previously reported in isolated cases, this variation remains extremely rare and is not widely covered in existing classification systems. Detailed imaging revealed that the celiac trunk trifurcated into the left gastric artery, common hepatic artery, and splenic artery, with the dorsal pancreatic artery giving rise to the right hepatic artery. Hepatic artery variations underscore the importance of detailed preoperative imaging. Recognizing these rare variants is critical in liver transplantation and other hepatobiliary surgical procedures to prevent surgical complications. This case contributes to existing knowledge of hepatic artery anatomy and highlights the need to include rare variants identified through advanced imaging techniques in classification systems. In conclusion, hepatic artery variations are common, and due to complex embryological development, it may not be possible to classify all variations. However, even if they cannot be classified, these anomalies should be clearly described.