Early experience of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for T3b renal cell carcinoma

We report our experience with laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for a 79-year-old man who had renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with a renal vein thrombus. For the transaction of the renal vein with the thrombus, we used an endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis stapler. The operating time was 4 h and blood loss was 400 mL. The patient could walk and drink on the first postoperative day. He recovered normal activity 30 days postoperatively. There were no intraoperative and postoperative complications. The present report demonstrates the feasibility of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in patients with T3b RCC who suffer from tumor thrombus in the renal vein.