Anatomical variations of the renal artery: a computerized tomographic angiogram study in living kidney donors at a Nigerian Kidney Transplant Center.

Abstract

Understanding of the renal vascular anatomy is key to a safe and successful donor nephrectomy, which ultimately impacts on the renal graft function and survival in kidney transplant recipients. To report the various anatomical configurations of the renal artery identified in living kidney donors in a Nigerian kidney transplant institution. The computerized tomography angiograms of 100 consecutive living kidney donors were prospectively reviewed over an 18-month period. Anatomical variations of the renal arteries including accessory arteries and early divisions were noted. Duration of surgery and ischemic time were recorded intra-operatively. Data analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS version 20. There were variations in renal artery configuration in 50 (50%) cases, 32% were accessory renal arteries while 18% were early branches of the renal artery. The classical bilateral solitary renal arteries were found in 50 (50%) of potential donors. There was statistically significant longer operating and ischemic time in donors with multiple renal arteries as compared with solitary arteries (p<0.05). There are a wide variety of renal artery configurations seen in potential kidney donors. The classical solitary renal artery remains the commonest and most favourable configuration for donor nephrectomy and transplantation.