Precise control of caval and hepatic vessels: Surgical technique to treat level III caval thrombus concomitant to renal cell carcinoma

Surgical Interventions for Renal Cell Carcinoma with Thrombus Extending into the Inferior Vena Cava: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Objective: To assess surgical strategies and the impact of a multidisciplinary approach on patients undergoing inferior vena caval thrombectomy for renal cell carcinoma and to evaluate perioperative morbidity and mortality associated with these procedures.

Methodology: A retrospective audit for all adults who underwent nephrectomy and inferior vena caval thrombectomy from January 2008 till November 2018 at a University hospital. Patients with incomplete records were excluded from the study.

Results: During the study period, 21 patients underwent inferior vena caval thrombectomy as a completion of radical nephrectomy. Most were males (19 : 2) with a mean age of 54±11.3 years. The most common surgical approach was the 11th rib flank approach (n=8) followed by midline abdominal (n=6) and Mercedes-Benz (n=5). Eight patients had level 1, 10 patients had level 2, and three patients had level 3 tumour thrombus. The cavotomy was closed primarily in 20 patients; one required inferior vena cava (IVC) reconstruction with a pericardial patch. The proximal clamp was applied below the hepatic veins for most patients. Two patients required suprahepatic clamping before thrombectomy. There was no intraoperative mortality. Five patients (24%) developed complications: two required cardiopulmonary resuscitation due to severe hypotension and were revived; one developed acute renal failure; and one patient required a damage control laparotomy for excessive oozing. There was no thirty-day mortality.

Conclusion: The IVC thrombectomy, along with radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma for 1–3 level thrombus, can be performed with acceptable morbidity in a multidisciplinary team approach.