Triangle of Calot is of clinical importance during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (removal of the gall bladder).

In this procedure, the triangle is carefully dissected by the surgeon, and its contents and borders identified. This allows the surgeon to take into account any anatomical variation and permits safe ligation and division of the cystic duct and cystic artery. Of particular importance is the right hepatic artery – this must be identified by the surgeon prior to ligation of the cystic artery.

If Calot’s triangle cannot be delineated (such as in cases of severe inflammation), the surgeon may elect to perform a subtotal cholecystectomy, or convert to open surgery.