[Exposure of the retro-hepatic inferior vena cava by the left approach]

The suprarenal segment of the inferior cave can be exposed by sterno-laparotomy. By reclining the left and caudate lobes of the liver to the right, the left border of the retro-hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava is displayed. Duodeno-pancreatic separation gives access to its intra-hepatic segment. The entire suprarenal segment of the vein can thus be exposed, its lower portion only being barred by the hepatic vessels. Such wide exposure makes complete hepatic and caval vascular exclusion possible, as well as elective repair surgery of all lesions involving this segment.