Subvesical Ducts, the Anatomical Nomenclature for the Bile Ducts of Luschka and its Clinical Importance. Topic Review

Abstract

Introduction: The duct was described by Hubert Luschka as small bile ducts derived from the wall of the gallbladder. Some authors describe it as a duct leading to drainage from the hepatic parenchyma to the gallbladder; others use the term to describe it as a conduit draining from the hepatic parenchyma to the extrahepatic bile ducts. This article presents a literature review of the anatomical description of the eponymous Luschka conduit and the proposed anatomical terminology subvesicular or subvesical conduit, given its clinical importance as a cause of biliary leakage. Methodology: A bibliographic review was carried out in databases and electronic libraries. With a customized time window from 2006 to 2016, obtaining a total of 62 articles, a specialized analytical summary was subsequently performed, selecting a total of 46. Results: No consensus was found in the anatomical description of the eponym, nor in the description of the International terminology. Lesions of the biliary tract during cholecystectomy present as a rare complication (0.1 - 1.5%) but have repercussions in several areas and considerable morbidity and mortality. Conclusions: There was a discrepancy in the nomenclature used for the description of these ducts. It is indiscriminately named as the luschka's conduit for all bile ducts found in the biliary fossa. The clinical relevance is that it is the second cause of iatrogenic biliary leakage and the association between the subvesical duct and ductal carcinomas. More local studies are still needed to identify its incidence and prevent complications.