[Operative removal of tumor thrombus from vena cava in hypernephroid carcinoma (author's transl)]

The prognosis of renal cell carcinoma correlates with the aggressiveness of surgery, especially in patients with involvement of the vena cava. Without significant bleeding the operative management and the successful removal of a free floating tumor thrombus from the vena cava has been described. In a 69-years old female patient the vascular surgery consists of cross clamping of the vena cava with free back-flow of the contralateral renal vein, cavotomy, insertion of a Fogarty catheter for occlusion of the suprarenal vena cava without blocking the liver veins, and extraction of the thrombus.