A cadaveric study of ovarian veins: variations, measurements and clinical significance

Abstract

The literature showing information regarding ovarian venous variation, its diameter and termination distance from respective renal venous origin are limited. This information is important in various surgical and clinical procedures including venous embolization, vascular reconstruction during renal transplantation and localizing the source of origin of a pelvic mass. We examined 94 sides of 47 formalin fixed female cadavers and noted the course and termination of ovarian veins. We measured the diameter of ovarian veins at their termination point and the termination distance in respect to the termination point of renal veins at inferior vena cava (IVC) on respective sides. We found two cases of variations related to right ovarian vein -one, right ovarian vein joined the right renal vein; two, right ovarian vein duplicated and joined with IVC at two different points. We found one case of variation related to left ovarian vein-a partially duplicated left ovarian vein. All the variations were unilateral. The mean diameters of right and left ovarian veins were 3.66±1.18 and 4.20±0.96 mm, respectively. The distance of termination of ovarian veins ranged from 19-40 mm and 13-41 mm, respectively from termination points of right and left renal veins at IVC on respective sides. Our study presents a set of data regarding variation of ovarian veins, diameters and termination distances which could be useful for gynecologists, surgeons and radiologists.

Superior mesenteric vein reconstruction during pancreatoduodenectomy using a dilated right ovarian vein in a patient at future risk for pelvic congestion syndrome: a case report

“…In other reports [ 12 , 13 ] a customized gonadal vein graft was used similarly because the original diameter of the gonadal vein might be insufficient for reconstructing the SMV. Considering that a study of cadaveric ovarian veins showed an average diameter of 3.93 ± 1.11 mm [ 14 ], customization of an ovarian vein graft usually would be required for use in SMV reconstruction. In our case, using an ovarian vein showing preexisting dilation eliminated any need for customizing the graft and also was hoped to decrease the likelihood of future re-emergence of pelvic congestion symptoms.…”

“…The ovarian veins follow a caudal-rostral retroperitoneal course parallel with the spinal column until they drain into the renal vein on the left and into the inferior vena cava on the right, representing only a part of the complex venous network related to the female pelvis. In the study of cadaveric ovarian veins mentioned above with respect to their diameters, mean distances of the termination points of the right and left ovarian veins from the confluences of the right and left renal veins with the IVC were 28.12 ± 7.54 mm and 28.49 ± 5.76 mm, respectively [ 14 ].…”

Paraaortic Lymphadenectomy in Gynecologic Oncology—Significance of Vessels Variations

“…They reported a single case with a duplicated LOV. The three variations of the OVs were unilateral [105]. Benedetti-Panici et al reported incidence of 2.2% for the LOV entering the lumbar vein.…”

“…Vessel variations in the paraaortic region and their clinical significance in Gynecologic Oncology are summarized in Table 1 [81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98][100][101][102][103][104][105][106]110].…”

Duplication of the ovarian vein: comprehensive review and case illustration

“…The ovarian veins originate from the pampiniform plexus surrounding the ovaries. The ovarian veins travel from this plexus in the mesovarium and the broad ligament between the ovary and uterine tube [ 1 - 4 ]. Alongside the ovarian arteries, the ovarian veins ascend through the suspensory ligament (infundibulopelvic) and are positioned anterior to the psoas major muscle [ 1 , 3 , 4 ].…”