Abdomen Sonography: Kidney Postoperative Anatomy - Video Lesson

Hey, everybody. Welcome back to today's lesson on postoperative kidney anatomy and sonography of renal transplants. Kidney transplantation is a common treatment for end stage renal disease and understanding the typical post operative anatomy is crucial for accurate ultrasound evaluation. Let's get started. The transplanted kidney is usually placed in the iliac fossa most commonly on the right side although left sided placement can also occur depending on surgical planning. The renal hilum is oriented medially and slightly posteriorly, which is a different orientation compared to native kidneys that lie in the retroperitoneum with the hilum facing medially. Being able to differentiate the transplanted kidney from the native kidneys is essential, particularly when assessing for complications or comparing baseline sonographic findings. On ultrasound, the transplanted kidney appears in the iliac fossa as a typical kidney shaped structure with a hypoechoic cortex and slightly more echogenic renal sinus.