The Superficial Femoral Vein: A Valuable Conduit for a Short Renal Vein in Kidney Transplantation

A variety of techniques have been developed to improve the problem with a short renal vein in kidney transplantation. Those techniques range from thorough mobilization of the recipient common and external iliac veins (iliac vein transposition) to donor vein elongation with a saphenous or gonadal vein or a polytetrafluoroethylene graft. Right renal vein extension using the inferior vena cava represents an excellent option for cadaveric kidney transplantation; however, for kidneys from living donors, that is not a suitable alternative. We present two cases where the superficial femoral vein was used as a conduit with good results; there was no additional morbidity for the patient. Although uncommon, renal vein extensions are sometimes needed in kidney transplantation. The superficial femoral vein comes close to representing the ideal conduit for a short renal vein when compared with a synthetic or an autologous graft due to its diameter and harvesting technique.