An Anatomical Study of Anomalous Renal Pedicle

Abstract

Typically, the renal pedicle is located at the renal hilum, such that the renal vein is anterior to the renal artery, which in turn is anterior to the renal pelvis. Objective: Student dissection of cadavers to observe typical anatomy and observe variations that may occur. Methods: The Gross Anatomy Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University. Results: A total of 180 Thai cadavers were dissected in anatomical practice, during the years 1998 to 2000. Anomalous renal pedicles were found in the cadavers of a 49 year-old female and a 80 year-old male. In the female, the anomalous renal pedicle presented on both the left and right sides. Both the renal pelvises were anterior to the renal vessels. We also found supernumerary renal arteries. The male had only a right anomalous renal pedicle, in which the right renal pelvis lay anterior to the right renal vessel. Variations of the renal arteries were found in this case as well. Conclusion: These observations are important so that during surgery, care be taken in retroperitoneal operations, especially pyelolithotomy.