Radical nephrectomy with vena caval thrombectomy: a contemporary experience

• To report on the contemporary Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center experience with radical nephrectomy and vena caval thrombectomy.

• Patients who underwent radical nephrectomy and vena caval thrombectomy without the use of bypass techniques were retrospectively identified. • Data were collected on intraoperative and pathological findings as well as postoperative complications and oncological outcomes.

• In all, 78 patients underwent radical nephrectomy with off-bypass resection of vena caval thrombus between 1989 and 2009. • The median (interquartile range, IQR) operation duration was 293 (226-370) min, and median (IQR) blood loss was 1300 (750-2500) mL. In all, 10 patients (13%) were confirmed to have intra- or supra-hepatic tumour thrombus (level 3/4), eight of whom required supra-hepatic control of the inferior vena cava (IVC). • Major (grade 3-5) postoperative complications occurred in 14 (18%), with five postoperative deaths. Disease recurred in 27/62 patients who were considered completely resected at surgery and had adequate follow-up. • The overall 5-year survival (95% confidence interval) probability was 48% (35-60%).

• Radical nephrectomy with vena caval thrombectomy is associated with acceptable postoperative morbidity and mortality, and long-term survival is possible in some patients. • Many level 3/4 thrombi could be safely approached without the use of bypass techniques.