title: Inferior vena cava anomalies during laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report our experience with congenital inferior vena cava (IVC) anomalies found during laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (LRPLND).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two men with a mean age of 31.5 years (range 26-37 years) underwent LRPLND because of nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors (NSGCT) between December 2003 and July 2004. A four-port technique was used. A left IVC anomaly was found in both patients. The two operations were performed with no serious immediate complications and minimal blood loss. Congenital IVC anomalies were identified intraoperatively. A left-sided template modified because of anatomic variation was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean operative time was 95 minutes (range 60-130 min). Both patients remain without tumor recurrence at a median of 24.5 months of follow-up (range 15-34 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although uncommon, IVC anomalies must be considered when performing LRPLND because of potential complications. Preoperative studies are essential in surgical planning.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endourology and Laparoscopic Urology, Clínica Santa María, Providencia, Santiago de Chile, Chile. octaviocastillo@vtr.net
authors.forename: Octavio A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Salas
authors.forename: Juan Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vitagliano
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cortes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018236:Carcinoma, Embryonal / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018239:Seminoma / Q000150:complications / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D054079:Vascular Malformations / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000002:abnormalities*