Experiences of robot assisted thrombectomy with 2-year follow-up

BackgroundNo consensus has been reached on operative procedures since a limited case series of robot-assisted inferior vena cava thrombectomy (RA-IVCT) and robot-assisted radical nephrectomy (RA-RN) have been described.MethodsThe clinical data of 21 patients who underwent RA-IVCT and RA-RN were retrieved from the database. Preoperative preparation was used for assessment of the tumour. Surgical procedures were recorded, and operative skills were summarised.ResultsThe median IVC clamping time was 23 min, and IVC wall invasion was pathologically found in 2 cases. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 8.4 days and most patients recovered to full ambulation and oral feeding on the fourth day. None of the patients had liver or kidney dysfunction at the last follow-up (median, 24 months).ConclusionRA-IVCT presents technical challenges to surgeons. IVC control is an important part of the surgical process and different sides require different techniques.