Congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava and left renal vein: implications during open abdominal aortic aneurysm reconstruction.

Although uncommon and usually incidental findings on imaging or at operation, congenital anomalies of the retroperitoneal venous system, particularly those involving the inferior vena cava and left renal vein, can be troublesome and dangerous during open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). We have provided a retrospective analysis of our single tertiary institution experience with these anomalies during more than 2400 open AAA reconstructions in an effort to determine if preoperative identification of these vessels decreased venous injury and subsequent morbidity as well as offering a thorough review of the relevant embryology, anatomy, and technical approaches for each specified anomaly for the practicing vascular surgeon.