Iatrogenic Inferior Vena Cava Resection Requiring Reconstruction

Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2021 Nov;55(8):864-868. doi: 10.1177/15385744211012904. Epub 2021 Apr 28.

Abstract

This is a report of an iatrogenic inferior vena cava (IVC) segmental resection and reconstruction utilizing bovine pericardium. A 48-year-old female patient presented for a planned right nephrectomy by the urology service secondary to xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. This was complicated by inadvertent resection of an 8 cm segment of the infrarenal IVC. Postoperatively, the patient did not tolerate IVC ligation due to severe lower extremity edema. She then underwent reconstruction with a bovine pericardium conduit as an interposition graft. The post-operative course was complicated by pulmonary embolism requiring percutaneous intervention. This report addresses the utility of bovine pericardium for IVC reconstruction in an infected field.

Keywords: IVC injury; IVC reconstruction; IVC resection; IVC thrombectomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iatrogenic Disease
  • Middle Aged
  • Nephrectomy*
  • Pericardium
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vena Cava, Inferior* / diagnostic imaging
  • Vena Cava, Inferior* / surgery