Renal transplantation from a living related donor with a retrocaval ureter- a note of caution

In our study we describe a renal transplant from a living related donor who was found to have a retrocaval ureter. The retrocaval ureter is a rare con genital anomaly resulting from a defect in the embryological development of the ureter and the inferior vena cava (IVC). The compression of the ureter between the IVC and the vertebrae can result in progressive hydronephrosis , The non-dilated segment of the ureter was used for the uretero-neocystost omy The patient presented with ureteric obstruction in the immediate post-t ransplant period, and at surgical exploration the uretero-neocystostomy was revised using the dilated portion of the ureter. We recommend that when tr ansplanting a kidney with a retrocaval ureter, caution should be exercised in using the non-dilated portion of the ureter, since either the blood supp ly may be compromised or the peristalsis may be interrupted.