Robot‐assisted radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy: Initial experience in Japan

Abstract

Introduction: Open surgical approach remains the standard treatment for renal cell carcinoma with an inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. In recent years, however, robot-assisted radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy have emerged as minimally invasive alternatives to conventional open surgery. Case presentation: Here, we describe a 76-year-old female patient with right renal cell carcinoma with a level I inferior vena cava thrombus undergoing robot-assisted radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy, which was successfully completed with a purely robotic procedure, resulting in the following outcomes: console time,167 min; total operative time, 211 min; and estimated blood loss, 150 mL. To our knowledge, this is the first case managed by robot-assisted radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy in Japan. Conclusion: Based on our experience, it might be worthwhile to consider purely robotic surgery for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma with an inferior vena cava thrombus.