Background:
Left-sided inferior vena cava (IVC) is an unusual abnormality that may be clinically significant during renal surgery.
Methods:
We report the unique case of a patient with a centrally located left renal mass who underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. During the hilar dissection, unusual vascular anatomy was encountered. The patient was noted to have a left-sided inferior vena cava with multiple renal veins and anomalous tributaries. Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was performed without complication.
Discussion:
The embryology of a left-sided inferior vena cava is reviewed, and the safety and feasibility of a laparoscopic approach is discussed.