[A case of left inferior vena cava discovered by chance at nephrectomy for renal transplantation].

A case of left inferior vena cava, in a 35-year-old woman, discovered by chance at nephrectomy for renal transplantation is reported. She was admitted to our hospital as a donor of the kidney to her son. She had no remarkable physical signs on chest or abdomen. All laboratory tests were within normal limits. Intravenous pyelogram showed no major abnormality except for the lower position of left kidney than right one. Abdominal aortogram and selective renal arteriogram revealed no abnormality. Bilateral renal arteries were single. Left nephrectomy for transplantation was performed on April 13, 1983. In this operation the left sided inferior vena cava was discovered by chance. Inferior vena cavography was taken postoperatively. It showed the left sided inferior vena cava, type C. Knowledge of the abnormalities of the left renal vein and inferior vena cava is of surgical importance for the urologist when renal transplantation is being considered.