Objective   To investigate the anatomic data of accessory right hepatic vein (aRHV) for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).    Methods   The aRHV and right hepatic vein (RHV) of 50 non-illness adult cadaveric livers were anatomized. The frequency

number

diameter

opening position

draining scope of aRHV and the relationship between aRHV and RHV were observed.    Results   The frequency of aRHV was 96.0%

and the frequencies of aRHV with diameter more than 3.00 mm and 5.00 mm were 60.0% and 32.0% respectively. The percentage of aRHV inflowing to the upper part

middle part and lower part of inferior vena cava (IVC) behind liver were 6.4%

17.0% and 76.6%

respectively. The diameter of aRHV in each part of IVC were 4.33±1.10

5.76±2.52

and 4.83±1.34 mm

respectively. The aRHV inflowing to lower part of IVC behind liver was 46.8% (22/47) between eight o’clock and nine o’clock. The diameter of aRHV draining segment Ⅵ and segment Ⅶ were 6.30±2.20 mm and 4.49±1.22 mm

respectively. There was marked negative correlation between the diameter of RHV and that of aRHV (P=0.022

r=-0.410).    Conclusion   aRHV is very common. The opening position of aRHV is mostly at the right-posterior part of IVC behind liver. The aRHV inflowing to the middle part of IVC behind liver is the largest in diameter. The smaller aRHV mainly drains segment Ⅶ of the liver

and the larger aRHV drains segment Ⅵ or segment Ⅵ and Ⅶ of the liver. When the RHV is small

the possibility of larger aRHV is more frequent

and vice versa. The anatomy feature of aRHV should be mastered before LDLT

which is helpful to make rational operation plan.