Asymmetric Bilateral Renal Venous Variation With Distal Bifurcation and Double Cystic Artery: A Cadaveric Case Report

INTRODUCTION. Renal venous variations are common and clinically significant in renal transplantation, nephrectomy, and retroperitoneal surgery. Multiple renal veins and distal branching patterns may increase operative complexity during hilar dissection. Simultaneous vascular variations in separate anatomical regions are less frequently documented. The purpose of this study was to describe an asymmetric bilateral renal venous variation with distal bifurcation and a concurrent cystic artery variation identified during routine cadaveric dissection. METHODS. During routine dissection of the retroperitoneal and hepatobiliary regions in an adult male cadaver, the renal veins and cystic arteries were exposed, traced from their origins to their terminal distributions, and evaluated for number and branching morphology. SUMMARY. On the right side, a single renal vein arose from the inferior vena cava and bifurcated distally immediately prior to entering the renal hilum. On the left side, two independent renal veins originated directly from the inferior vena cava. One left renal vein bifurcated distally just before entering the kidney, resulting in three branches at the hilum, while the second vein maintained a single undivided course. No circumaortic or retroaortic configuration was present. Additionally, two cystic arteries supplied the gallbladder instead of a single vessel. CONCLUSIONS. This case demonstrates coexistence of renal vein multiplicity, distal branching asymmetry, and double cystic artery variation within the same specimen. Recognition of concurrent vascular variants across anatomical regions is essential for safe surgical planning and reinforces the continued value of cadaveric investigation in clinical anatomy.