Robotic radical nephrectomy with vena caval tumor thrombectomy: experience of novice robotic surgeons

The introduction of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery has facilitated the application of minimally invasive surgical techniques to many complex reconstructive and extirpative procedures. Even early on in their learning experience, robotic surgeons have been able to complete procedures using a minimally invasive approach, but would not have been able to do so using a purely laparoscopic technique. Although the open surgical approach remains the standard of care in the management of large renal tumors presenting with a thrombus within the vena cava, robot-assisted surgery may provide the precision and dexterity necessary to allow for the safe application of minimally invasive techniques to such complex clinical scenarios, perhaps even by relatively novice robotic surgeons. We describe the management of a large renal mass with vena caval thrombus (cT3b), which required complete cross-clamping of the vena cava, with the use of a purely robot-assisted laparoscopic approach.