Inferior vena cava anomalies during laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.
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.
Castillo
Octavio A
OA
Section of Endourology and Laparoscopic Urology, Clínica Santa María, Providencia, Santiago de Chile, Chile. octaviocastillo@vtr.net
Sanchez-Salas
Rafael
R
Alvarez
Juan Manuel
JM
Vitagliano
Gonzalo
G
Cortes
Oscar
O
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*