Left Inferior Vena Cava from the Perspective of Laparoscopic Donor Surgeon: Anatomic Considerations and Surgical Implications

Renal vascular aberrations are not uncommon cause for rejection of living kidney donors. While screening a donor for laparoscopic nephrectomy, we encountered a rare, yet important aberration in the form of left-sided inferior vena cava (IVC). There was an initial dilemma regarding the acceptability of the donor and which side kidney to select for donation. Scant literature is available on this particular clinical scenario, and only after a detailed study of the embryology and anatomy of IVC, were we able to make an informed choice. This article highlights the surgical anatomy and clinical implications of this rare condition from the perspective of laparoscopic donor surgeon.