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

Background: 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.

Objective: To report the various anatomical configurations of the renal artery identified in living kidney donors in a Nigerian kidney transplant institution.

Materials and methods: 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.

Results: 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).

Conclusion: 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.