Essentials of Renal Vascular Anatomy- A Cadaveric Study

Abstract

Accurate knowledge of the vascular pattern of kidneys is a prerequisite for performing surgeries like partial nephrectomy and renal transplantation. Renal arteries are paired branches from the abdominal aorta and happens to be most diversified in its pattern. Forty-eight embalmed cadaveric kidneys, 24 (right side) and 24 (left side) obtained during academic dissection. We observed (a) single renal artery in 60.3% of kidneys, double renal artery in 35.7%, triple and quadruple renal artery in 2% cases, (b) hilar branching pattern 35.5% and prehilar branching pattern in 64.5%, (c) unilateral presence of aberrant artery in 12.5% and bilateral presence of aberrant artery in 2.1%, (d) unilateral accessory renal artery in 20.8% and bilateral accessory renal artery in 2.1% cases, (e) presence of superior polar artery in 10.4% and inferior polar artery in 4.2% cases, (f) level of origin of renal artery at same level in 83.3% cases and right side origin higher than left in 16.7% cases. Insight into detailed vascular pattern may help in preventing in damage to hilar structures & prevents renal necrosis during surgical exploration.