From the Triangulation Technique to the Use of the Donor Aorta and Vena Cava for Kidney Transplantation: Lessons from the Past and Path to the Future of Xenotransplantation

Abstract

Revascularization of the kidney transplant is classically performed by anastomosing the renal vessels to the recipient iliac vessels. This technique is not applicable when the renal vessels are very small, numerous or anomalous and aberrant. In these instances, the donor aorta and the vena cava have to be used for vascular anastomosis. It would be useful to briefly review the development and the use of the donor aorta and cava in renal transplantation during the last century and discuss the potential clinical application of this technique in xenotransplantation of the porcine kidneys in humans at the dawn of the 21st century.