Robot-assisted Level II-III Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombectomy: Step-by-Step Technique and 1-Year Outcomes.
Level II-III inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombectomy for renal cell carcinoma is among the most challenging urologic oncologic surgeries. In 2015, we reported the initial series of robot-assisted level III caval thrombectomy.



To describe our University of Southern California technique in a step-by-step fashion for robot-assisted IVC level II-III tumor thrombectomy.



Twenty-five selected patients with renal neoplasm and level II-III IVC tumor thrombus underwent robot-assisted surgery with a minimum 1-yr follow-up (July 2011 to March 2015).



Our standardized anatomic-based "IVC-first, kidney-last" technique for robot-assisted IVC thrombectomy focuses on minimizing the chances of an intraoperative tumor thromboembolism and major hemorrhage.



Baseline demographics, pathology data, 90-d and 1-yr complications, and oncologic outcomes at last follow-up were assessed.



Robot-assisted IVC thrombectomy was successful in 24 patients (96%) (level III: n=11; level II: n=13); one patient was electively converted to open surgery for failure to progress. Median data included operative time of 4.5h, estimated blood loss was 240ml, hospital stay 4 d; five patients (21%) received intraoperative blood transfusion. All surgical margins were negative. Complications occurred in four patients (17%): two were Clavien 2, one was Clavien 3a, and one was Clavien 3b. All patients were alive at a 16-mo median follow-up (range: 12-39 mo).



Robotic IVC tumor thrombectomy is feasible for level II-III thrombi. To maximize intraoperative safety and chances of success, a thorough understanding of applied anatomy and altered vascular collateral flow channels, careful patient selection, meticulous cross-sectional imaging, and a highly experienced robotic team are essential.



We present the detailed operative steps of a new minimally invasive robot-assisted surgical approach to treat patients with advanced kidney cancer. This type of surgery can be performed safely with low blood loss and excellent outcomes. Even patients with advanced kidney cancer could now benefit from robotic surgery with a quicker recovery.
USC Institute of Urology, Departments of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Sameer
S
Chopra
(")Regina Elena" National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Simone
USC Institute of Urology, Departments of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Charles
C
Metcalfe
USC Institute of Urology, Departments of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Andre Luis
AL
de Castro Abreu
USC Institute of Urology, Departments of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Jamal
J
Nabhani
(")Regina Elena" National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
Mariaconsiglia
M
Ferriero
USC Institute of Urology, Departments of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Alfredo Maria
AM
Bove
USC Institute of Urology, Departments of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Rene
R
Sotelo
USC Institute of Urology, Departments of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Monish
M
Aron
USC Institute of Urology, Departments of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Mihir M
MM
Desai
(")Regina Elena" National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
Michele
M
Gallucci
USC Institute of Urology, Departments of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: gillindy@gmail.com.
Inderbir S
IS
Gill
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000473:pathology*; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
Kidney cancer; Robotics; Thrombectomy; Vena cava; inferior
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