Multiorgan retrieval and horseshoe kidney: case report

Horseshoe kidney, a congenital anatomic condition with fusion of the kidney poles, causes the organ to be placed around the aorta usually below the origin of the mesenteric artery. This congenital disorder affects about 1 in 400 people. Retrieval for multiorgan transplantation dissects and canulates major abdominal vessels, aorta and vena cava, below the renal vessels to infuse refrigerated preservation solution. The presence of a horseshoe kidney could be a hazard for the retrieval team when cannulating when following standard techniques. We have described herein a surgical maneuver exposing the anterior surface of the aorta for canulation. We transected the horseshoe kidney in the midline with the use of a linear cutter stapler GIA 60 mm (Ethicon), after previously ligating both kidney pedicles. This technique was safely performed without the need for cannulation through the iliac vessels.