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Inferior vena cava filter strut perforation discovered during right robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy
Stephen F Kappa1, Todd M Morgan, Kirk A Keegan
1Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Department of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. stephen.kappa@vanderbilt.edu
Urology
|October 22, 2011
Summary
Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters prevent pulmonary emboli but can cause complications. This case highlights a rare strut perforation of the vena cava wall by an IVC filter.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Interventional Radiology
- Medical Device Complications
Background:
- Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are devices implanted to prevent pulmonary embolism.
- Potential late complications include migration, fracture, thrombosis, and perforation.
- These complications can lead to significant patient morbidity.
Observation:
- A 67-year-old male patient presented for a robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.
- During the procedure, an IVC filter strut was found to have perforated the vena caval wall.
- This perforation represents a rare but serious late complication of IVC filter placement.
Findings:
- The IVC filter strut had migrated through the vena caval wall.
- This perforation was identified during an unrelated surgical procedure.
- The case underscores the importance of recognizing and managing late filter complications.
Implications:
- Perforation of the vena cava by an IVC filter is a critical finding.
- Management strategies for such perforations require careful consideration.
- This case emphasizes the need for vigilance regarding long-term IVC filter integrity and potential adverse events.
