Left testicular artery with high origin passing through a left renal vein fenestration and double right renal arteries in a male cadaver: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Fenestrations are extremely rare in the venous system, especially renal veins. This paper aims to present a case of left renal vein fenestration with a high origin testicular artery passing through it.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The variations were observed incidentally in a 74-year-old Caucasian male cadaver during routine retroperitoneal dissections for second-year medical students.

RESULTS

A fenestration in the mid portion of the left renal vein was observed. The length and height of the fenestration was 23 and 3.6 millimetres, respectively. The left testicular artery passed through the fenestration and followed a normal course distal to the fenestration. Posterior to the left renal vein, the testicular artery originated from the lateral aspect of abdominal aorta, just caudal to the left renal artery. On the right side, the testicular artery had a similar high origin, and 2 hilar renal arteries were present. No venous variations were observed on the right side.

CONCLUSIONS

The long course of the left renal vein is a factor of preference for donor kidney selection. Uncommon variations of the left renal veins, such as fenestrations, might result in a change in surgical technique and would put the left donor kidney at risk of prolonged anastomosis time and lower survival rates.