1
|
Shekhawat D, Chaiyamoon A, Cardona JJ, Lesser E, Iwanaga J, Loukas M, Killackey MT, Tubbs RS. Renal vein valves: a prevalence, microanatomical and histological study. Surg Radiol Anat 2024; 46:535-541. [PMID: 38446213 DOI: 10.1007/s00276-024-03330-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE In the modern era of robotic renal procedures and diagnostics, an even more detailed anatomical understanding than hitherto is necessary. Valves of the renal veins (RVV) have been underemphasized and have been disputed by some authors, and few textbooks describe them. The current anatomical study was performed to address such shortcomings in the literature. METHODS One hundred renal veins were studied in fifty adult formalin-fixed cadavers. Renal veins were removed from the abdomen after sectioning them flush with their entrance to the renal hilum. The inferior vena cava was then incised longitudinally and opened, and RVV were examined grossly and histologically. A classification scheme was developed and applied to our findings. RESULTS Nineteen RVVs were observed in the fifty cadavers (38%). Four (8%) valves were found on right sides and fifteen (30%) on left sides. The valves were seen as cord/band-like, folds, and single and double leaflets. Histologically, they were all extensions of the tunica intima. CONCLUSION On the basis of our study, RVV are not uncommon. They were more common on left sides, and on both sides, they were found within approximately one centimeter of the junction of the inferior vena cava and renal vein. Although the function of such valves cannot be inferred from this anatomical study, the structures of the Single leaflet valve (TS2) and Double leaflet valve (TS3) valves suggest they could prevent venous reflux from the IVC into the kidney.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devendra Shekhawat
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, 131 South Robertson St. Suite 1300, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
| | - Arada Chaiyamoon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, 131 South Robertson St. Suite 1300, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Juan J Cardona
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, 131 South Robertson St. Suite 1300, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Emma Lesser
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, 131 South Robertson St. Suite 1300, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Joe Iwanaga
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, 131 South Robertson St. Suite 1300, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Marios Loukas
- Departmentof Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, St. George's, West Indies, Grenada
| | - Mary T Killackey
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - R Shane Tubbs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, 131 South Robertson St. Suite 1300, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Departmentof Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, St. George's, West Indies, Grenada
- Department of Neurosurgery and Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Department of Structural & Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| |
Collapse
|