Resection and reconstruction of the inferior vena cava for neoplasms

AIM: To evaluate the results of an aggressive surgical approach of resection and reconstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC). METHODS: The approach to caval resection depends on the extent and location of tumor involvement. The supraand infra-hepatic portion of the IVC was dissected and taped. Left and right renal veins were also taped to control the bleeding. In 12 of the cases with partial tangential resection of the IVC, the flow was reduced to less than 40% so that the vein was primarily closed with a running suture. In 3 of the cases, the lumen of the vein was significantly reduced, requiring the use of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch. In 2 of the cases with segmental resection of the IVC, a PTFE prosthesis was used and in 1 case, the IVC was resected without reconstruction due to shunting the blood through the azygos and hemiazygos veins. RESULTS: The mean operation time was 266 min (230-310 min) with an average intraoperative blood loss of 300 mL (200-2000 mL). The patients stayed in intensive care unit for 1.8 d (1-3 d). Mean hospital stay was 9 d (7-15 d). Twelve patients (66.7%) had no complications and 6 patients (33.3%) had the following complications: acute bleeding in 2 patients; bile leak in 2 patients; intra abdominal abscess in 1 patient; pulmonary embolism in 2 patients; and partial thrombosis of the patch in 1 patient. General complications such as pneumonia, pleural effusion and cardiac arrest were observed in the same group of patients. In all but 1 case, the complications were transient and successfully controlled. The mortality rate was 11.1% (n = 2). One patient died due to cardiac arrest and pulmonary embolism in the operation room and the second one died 2 d after surgery due to coagulopathy. With a median follow-up of 24 mo, 5 (27.8%) patients died of tumor recurrence and 11 (61.1%) are still alive, but three of them have a recurrence on computed tomography. CONCLUSION: There are a variety of options for reconstruction after resection of the IVC that offers a higher resectable rate and better prognosis in selected cases.     

Prosthetic replacement of the inferior vena cava and the iliofemoral vein for urologically related malignancies

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and results of prosthetic venous replacement, as inferior vena cava (IVC) and iliofemoral vein resection and replacement are sometimes necessary when they are extensively involved by a large and fixed tumour thrombus from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) or other urological malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five men and two women (age range 41-75 years) were treated over a 10-year period (1991-2001) by aggressive venous surgery to achieve complete tumour resection, with prosthetic graft replacement to re-establish venous flow. The tumours included RCC of the right kidney (two), retroperitoneal liposarcoma (two), bladder cancer (one), retroperitoneal fibrosarcoma (one) and inguino-pelvic lymphoma (one). Two patients had a vena caval replacement, of whom one had a circular reinforced PTFE and one a Dacron silver graft; five patients had either an iliofemoral or an ilio-iliac circular reinforced PTFE graft. The prosthetic diameter was 18-20 mm for the IVC grafts and 8-10 mm for the iliac grafts. In all the patients, graft patency was evaluated during the follow-up by colour flow duplex imaging, and in one it was determined by angio-computed tomography scan and venography. RESULTS: One patient died 30 days after surgery; of the remaining six patients one had no evidence of regional recurrence or metastatic disease at 12 months, and five died from recurrent tumour 8-30 months after surgery. The mean time to death was 23 months. At 3 months all six prosthesis were patent; at 6 months four were patent and at 12 months three of five prostheses were patent. CONCLUSION: Resecting and replacing the IVC allows complete tumour resection and avoids renal failure, providing durable relief from the symptoms of venous obstruction. Iliofemoral prosthetic reconstruction for urological-related malignancies represents a viable option to avoid venous engorgement and lower extremity swelling, at least in the early postoperative period. The mean time to death for the present patients must be considered the limit for these aggressive operations.     

Surgical treatment of thrombosis of the inferior vena cava

Personal experience of thromboses of the inferior vena cava is presented and pathogenetic and symptomatological aspects stressed. In addition, in relation to the results presented and reported data, it is concluded that the role of surgical therapy is fundamental to integrate the thrombolytic and anticoagulant treatment of these severe forms of deep venous thrombosis.     

Endovascular reconstruction of an interrupted inferior vena cava

INTRODUCTION

Inferior vena cava (IVC) interruption was established as a procedure to treat refractory venous thromboembolism (VTE) complicated by pulmonary embolism. Ilio-caval thrombosis and lower limb chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) are well known long-term complications of IVC interruption, where subsequent treatments may carry significant morbidity and mortality.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We present here a case of chronic venous insufficiency resulting from IVC interruption with a vascular clip placed forty years previously. A novel approach utilising endovascular stents was used to reconstruct the iliocaval confluence and interrupted distal IVC without the need for laparotomy to remove the plicating clip. This procedure was associated with minimal morbidity and resulted with a quick resolution of the patient''s CVI symptoms.

DISCUSSION

Endovascular angioplasty and stenting is an alternative to open reconstruction of the interrupted inferior vena cava. We have demonstrated successful opening of a plication vascular clip using only endovascular utilities. Advantages include a shorter hospital stay, and reduced morbidity and mortality when compared to a re-do laparotomy.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular stents may be used safely and effectively to reconstruct the surgically interrupted inferior vena cava in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency.     

Surgical choices in injuries of the inferior vena cava

The results of treatment of 15 patients with injuries to the inferior vena cava (IVC) are presented. Knife injuries were noted in 13 of them, gunshot injuries--in 1, closed traumas of the thorax and abdomen--in 1. In 6 patients, IVC was injured at its suprarenal part, in 1--at the level of confluence of the renal veins, in 8--at the infrarenal zone. Eight patients died. The peculiarities of therapeutical measures at each step of giving the aid are presented.     

Endovascular stenting of ascending lumbar veins for refractory inferior vena cava occlusion

Chronic inferior vena cava (IVC) occlusion is a debilitating disease process. Recently, endovascular techniques have been described using progressive balloon dilatation and stenting to treat IVC occlusion with reasonable success. We present two cases of endovascular dilatation and stenting of the ascending lumbar vein. This technique provided good early relief of symptoms with ulcer healing, decreased swelling, and decreased pain. To our knowledge this is the first report of endovascular therapy of IVC occlusion via stenting of the ascending lumbar vein. This technique may provide a feasible treatment option when the occluded IVC cannot be reopened.     

Perinatal inferior vena cava thrombosis and absence of the infrarenal inferior vena cava

We report a case of infrarenal absence of the inferior vena cava (IVC) presenting as a major iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis in an adolescent. This is the first report of infrarenal IVC absence in which IVC thrombosis has been demonstrated in the perinatal period. We propose an association between perinatal IVC thrombosis and subsequent infrarenal IVC absence. In addition, the case demonstrates the importance of assessment for anatomical anomalies in patients presenting with apparently idiopathic deep venous thrombosis.     

原发性下腔静脉平滑肌肉瘤的手术治疗

目的 探讨原发性下腔静脉平滑肌肉瘤的手术治疗.方法 回顾性分析山东大学附属省立医院血管外科2009年10月-2011年5月收治的5例原发性下腔静脉平滑肌肉瘤患者,均行手术治疗,采用肿瘤及受累下腔静脉切除、人工血管重建双肾静脉及远端下腔静脉血流的术式.结果 本组5例患者平均手术时间为166.6 min,术中平均失血量为1...     

Insertion of the inferior vena cava filter followed by iliofemoral venous thrombectomy for ischemic venous thrombosis

An elderly man, with ischemic venous thrombosis of the left lower extremity, underwent insertion of the inferior vena cava filter through the right internal jugular vein, followed by left iliofemoral venous thrombectomy with the Fogarty balloon catheter, both with fluoroscopic guidance. The inferior vena cava filter was inserted before venous thrombectomy to prevent pulmonary embolism from dislodged clots during the latter procedure.