Radical laparoscopic nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy has proven itself as the "gold standard" treatment of renal cell carcinoma. Inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombus is a complicating factor that occurs in 5% to 10% of patients with renal cell carcinoma. In world literature, there are only anecdotal reports on using laparoscopic approach for IVC thrombectomy in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Herein we report our experience of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy of the level II tumor thrombus in the IVC. Two patients (79-year-old female and 48-year-old male) underwent radical nephrectomy with thrombectomy from IVC for renal cell carcinoma T3bNxM0 complicated by the formation of a tumor thrombus in the IVC. To do this, IVC was isolated, the right gonadal and lumbar veins were ligated and transected. The IVC and the left renal vein blood flow were controlled with a plastic clip and Satinski clamp. After thrombectomy and resection of the IVC, the wall the defect was sutured with continuous Prolene suture. Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with thrombectomy without conversion to open surgery was successfully carried out in both patients. During 6-18 months follow-up no local recurrence or distant metastasis were observed. Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with thrombectomy for renal cell carcinoma complicated with tumor thrombus level II is a safe and reproducible method, which can be applied to a specific population of patients.

renal cancer T3b, tumor thrombus in the IVC, laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, laparoscopic thrombectomy