Multidetector computerized tomography angiography to predict lumbar venous anatomy before donor nephrectomy

Multidetector computerized tomography angiography has been used to predict renal anatomy before donor nephrectomy. Unrecognized lumbar veins represent a significant risk during laparoscopic surgery but to our knowledge no previous group has attempted to predict lumbar veins with multidetector computerized tomography angiography before laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. We evaluated the ability of multidetector computerized tomography angiography to preoperatively predict the size and location of anomalous left lumbar veins.

A prospective study was performed in patients undergoing left hand assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy from January 2003 to September 2004. All patients were imaged using 4-phase computerized tomography, including computerized tomography angiography with 1.25 mm collimation of the arterial and venous phases. Each multidetector computerized tomography angiogram was prospectively reviewed by a radiologist and operating surgeon, and retrospectively reviewed by a second blinded radiologist.

A total of 70 patients underwent left hand assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy between January 2003 and September 2004. Five patients underwent imaging elsewhere and were excluded from study. Of the remaining 65 patients 54 (83%) had at least 1 anomalous lumbar vein of any size recognized at surgery. Additionally, 33 of these 65 patients (51%) had an anomalous lumbar vein that was 3 mm or greater. These 3 mm or greater vessels carry a significant risk of bleeding and they were used in further calculations. As read by a radiologist and surgeon, the sensitivity and specificity of multidetector computerized tomography angiography compared to surgical identification were 97% and 91%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy were 91.4%, 97% and 94%, respectively.

Multidetector computerized tomography angiography accurately predicts lumbar venous anatomy before donor nephrectomy with high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy.