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. 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.
Keywords: Inferior vena cava; Kidney cancer; Renal cell carcinoma; Venous tumor thrombus.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.