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A cadaveric anatomical study of the adrenals: vascular relationship

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Abstract

The adrenal gland is a retroperitoneal organ with intimate relationships with neighboring organs but also with the large retroperitoneal vessels. Our aim was to study the vascular relationships of the adrenal gland with the large abdominal vessels. Our work is an anatomical dissection of 80 fresh cadaveric adrenals. The subjects didn’t have a history of retroperitoneal surgery. Dissection conditions were similar to those in the living. All measurements were made in situ. On the right side, the average distance between the adrenal gland and the renal vein (DR) was 13 mm (0–20). In one case, the adrenal gland laid directly on the right renal vein (DR = 0). The average length L, over which the right adrenal gland entered behind the inferior vena cava (IVC), was 8 mm (0–12). In 4 cases, the right adrenal was lateral to the IVC and in 6 cases the length L exceeded 10 mm. On the left side, the mean distance DL, separating the adrenal gland from the left renal vein was 8 mm with extremes ranging from 0 mm to 18 mm. In eleven cases, the adrenal gland laid directly on the left renal vein. The right adrenal gland has a close relationship with the IVC and is often located behind it. This close relationship helps to explain the increased incidence of IVC lesions during surgery. The left adrenal gland has an intimate relationship with the left renal vein and often lies on top of it. This explains the risk of injury to the left renal pedicle during left adrenal surgery.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank those who donated their bodies to science so that anatomical research could be performed. Results from such research can potentially increase mankind’s overall knowledge that can then improve patient care. Therefore, these donors and their families deserve our highest gratitude.

Author’s contributions

Study conception and Design: A.S. and S.M. Acquisition of data: A.S., M.A.B., S.Z., S.M., H.B., A.H. and M.B. Analysis and interpretation of data : A.S., M.A.B., S.M. and A.H. Drafting of manuscript: A.S. and S.M. Critical revision of the manuscript: A.S., H.A., A.B., M.C., M.A. and R.B.S. Administrative support: H.A., A.B., M.A., M.C. and R.B.S. Final approval of manuscript : All Authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Tunis El Manar Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Urology Department, Tunis, Tunisia

    Ahmed Saadi, Seif Mokadem, Mohamed Ali Bedoui, Selim Zaghbib, Hamza Boussaffa, Haroun Ayed, Abderrazek Bouzouita, Marouene Chakroun & Riadh Ben Slama

  2. University of Tunis El Manar Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Anatomy department, Tunis, Tunisia

    Amine Hermi

  3. University of Tunis El Manar Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Department of legal and forensic medicine, Tunis, Tunisia

    Mohammed Bellali & Mohamed Allouche

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  1. Ahmed Saadi
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Correspondence to Mohamed Ali Bedoui.

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Saadi, A., Mokadem, S., Bedoui, M.A. et al. A cadaveric anatomical study of the adrenals: vascular relationship. Endocrine 83, 483–487 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-023-03585-3

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