Temporary interruption of the left renal vein as an adjunct to resection of interaortocaval pheochromocytoma.

Although the left kidney has a number of venous collaterals, the collateral venous drainage is not always sufficient to allow permanent ligation of the venous trunk. Interruption and reanastomosis of the left renal vein were performed as an adjunct to dissection of extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma arising in the interaortocaval space. Reconstruction of the interrupted vein is a simple and reasonably acceptable technique to preserve the ipsilateral renal function. This maneuver, though practiced infrequently, facilitates the juxtarenal surgeries exposure of which is seriously hampered by the anatomical disposition of the left renal vein.