Perinephric Vein Identified as Key Landmark for Pancreatectomy

A new anatomical landmark, the perinephric vein, enhances access to the left renal vein during minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) for pancreatic cancer. In a cohort of 114 patients, 63.2% with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma showed the vein could help secure the posterior surgical margin, improving overall surgical precision. Of those, 92% had visible perinephric veins, and over half presented the vein as a critical landmark for safe surgical access.