Feasibility of Pure Conventional Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy With Level II Vena Caval Tumor Thrombectomy

ObjectiveTo report our surgical outcomes and experiences with pure conventional retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy for patients with right renal tumors and level II inferior vena caval tumor thrombus.Materials and MethodsFrom February 2012 to June 2014, five patients underwent pure conventional retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy. After the inferior vena cava was blocked using tourniquet loops above and below the thrombus with the contralateral renal vein being clamped, the inferior vena cava was opened, and the tumor thrombus was fully extracted.ResultsThe mean patient age was 57 years (43-71 years) and the mean body mass index was 22.44 kg/m2 (20-25 kg/m2). The mean operative time was 241 minutes (180-300 minutes) and the mean estimated blood loss was 290 ml (50-1000 mL). The mean tumor size was 6.9 cm (3.5-9 cm) and the mean tumor thrombus length was 5.5 cm (4-10 cm). One patient needed an intraoperative transfusion, and the patient encountered bilateral lower limb deep vein thrombus. With a mean follow-up of 11.5 months (5-30 months), one patient was identified with lung metastasis 4 months postoperatively.ConclusionAlthough pure conventional laparoscopic nephrectomy and tumor thrombectomy for level II tumor thrombus are challenging, they are feasible in carefully selected patients. More studies are needed to confirm their superiority and oncologic outcomes.