A prospective study of the predictive power of spiral computed tomographic angiography for defining renal vascular anatomy before live-donor nephrectomy.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of spiral computed tomography (CT) imaging of donor venous anatomy by comparing CT angiography (CTA) and operative findings, for both laparoscopic (LDN) and open donor nephrectomy.

Patients And Methods: LDN presents unique surgical challenges, particularly with complex venous or arterial anatomy. The limitations of surgical access, poor visibility of the superior and posterior borders of the renal vein during LDN, and the variability of venous anatomy in this region, contribute to the difficulty of LDN, underlining the importance of imaging beforehand.