Renal function after ligation of the left renal vein.

In animal experiments the ligation of the left renal vein after nephrectomy on the right side and the ligation of the suprarenal inferior vena cava is explored by four different methods. Degree and length of postoperative renal dysfunction depend on the preliminary ligation or the narrowing of the suprarenal inferior vena cava. The period of adaptation is correlated to the development of a collateral circulation of the left renal vein.