Unusual jejunal tributaries of the splenic vein and their surgical importance: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Knowledge of variations regarding the formation, termination and tributaries of the portal vein, superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein are very useful and of utmost importance for surgeons performing surgeries of the pancreas and duodenum. Normally, the jejunal veins are the tributaries of the superior mesenteric vein. We report here, a very unusual case where two proximal jejunal veins drained into the splenic vein instead of the superior mesenteric vein. Case Report: During the dissection classes for undergraduate medical students, we noted variations in the termination of the upper jejunal veins in an adult male cadaver who was approximately 65 years old. We found that the union of three veins formed the portal vein: the splenic vein, jejunal veins and the superior mesenteric vein. Conclusion: Familiarity with such anatomical variation provides useful information for surgeons performing abdominal surgical procedures.