Calot’s triangle

Borders

1. Superior → Inferior Surface of the Liver
2. Inferior → Cystic Duct
3. Medial → Common Hepatic Duct

Contents

• Right Hepatic Artery
• Cystic Artery
• Lymph Node of Lund
• Lymphatics

Clinical/Surgical Significance

• The Calot’s Triangle Must be identified during Cholecystectomy.
• Dissection of the triangle allows for the visualization of the arterial tree and variations within the triangle
• During Cholecystectomy, the identification of the Cystic Duct and Cystic Artery are essential. Once identified, they are ligated.
  • If the calot’s triangle cannot be identified, Laparascopic Cholecystectomy must be converted to either a Subtotal Cholecystectomy or Open Cholecystectomy
• The original description of the Calot’s Triangle identifies the Cystic Artery as the Superior border, and considered the Calot’s Triangle as being within the Cystohepatic Triangle. In modern terminology, the Calot’s Triangle and Cystohepatic Triangle are considered the same.