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Review of Robotic-Assisted Radical Nephrectomy with Inferior Vena Cava Thrombectomy in Renal Cell Carcinoma

  • Kidney Diseases (G Ciancio, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Recent advances in minimally invasive technology have compelled surgeons to perform nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy using robotic assistance. Here, we aim to review the data comparing open versus robot-assisted nephrectomy with IVC thrombectomy, as well as review operative robotic techniques for nephrectomy with IVC thrombectomy.

Recent Findings

Over the last decade, there have been increasing reports of successful robotic-assisted IVC thrombectomy among skilled robotic surgeons, with case series detailing operative technique, as well as operative and oncologic outcomes for levels I-IV caval thrombus.

Summary

While there is immense promise in the future of robotic-assisted IVC thrombectomy, further studies with direct comparison to open surgical intervention will be needed to ensure the oncologic principles and outcomes are non-inferior.

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Abbreviations

cm:

Centimeter

EBL:

Estimated blood loss

IVC:

Inferior vena cava

LOS:

Length of stay

min:

Minute

mL:

Milliliter

RCC:

Renal cell carcinoma

VTT:

Venous tumor thrombus

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Megan Prunty & Laura Bukavina

  2. Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11000 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA

    Megan Prunty & Laura Bukavina

  3. Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Spencer Bell, Alexander Kutikov & Laura Bukavina

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  1. Megan Prunty
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Correspondence to Megan Prunty.

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Prunty, M., Bell, S., Kutikov, A. et al. Review of Robotic-Assisted Radical Nephrectomy with Inferior Vena Cava Thrombectomy in Renal Cell Carcinoma. Curr Urol Rep 23, 363–370 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-022-01120-x

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