[Cancer of the kidney with inferior caval thrombus. Value of a temporary caval clip]

In renal cancers with malignant thrombus in the inferior vena cava, extension and migration of the thrombus towards the right cardiac cavities may be prevented for a long time by the efferent flow of the hepatic veins acting as a haemodynamic barrier. The authors describe a new technique in which a temporary caval clip is placed in a downstream position without opening the right atrium. After thrombectomy and enlarged nephrectomy the clip is removed and a classical barrier upstreams of the renal veins/vena cava junction is installed.