During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the critical view of safety (CVS) requires dissection of Calot's triangle to expose two specific structures. These two structures are:
- A The common bile duct and right hepatic artery
- B The cystic duct and the common hepatic duct junction
- C The cystic duct and cystic artery, with the lower third of the gallbladder separated from the cystic plate ✓
- D The cystic artery and the right hepatic artery
Correct answer: C. The cystic duct and cystic artery, with the lower third of the gallbladder separated from the cystic plate
Explanation
The Critical View of Safety (CVS), as defined by Strasberg, requires that two conditions be met: (1) Calot's triangle is completely dissected free of fat and fibrous tissue, and (2) only two structures — the cystic duct and cystic artery — are seen entering the gallbladder after the lower one-third of the gallbladder is dissected free from the cystic plate (liver bed). This technique prevents misidentification of the common bile duct as the cystic duct, which is the most common mechanism for bile duct injury.
Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.