Resection of the Inferior Vena Cava Without Reconstruction for Urologic Malignancies

IVC resection without reconstruction is well tolerated in patients with large retroperitoneal masses because most patients have well-established collaterals before surgery due to pre-existing caval obstruction. Multiple variables have been correlated with improved prognosis in cancer patients. One of the factors most important to surgical oncologists is complete tumor resection at the time of initial extirpative surgery. Complete excision of tumors within the retroperitoneum may require resection of major vascular structures, including the IVC.