Balloon control of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava: a novel technique for renal cell carcinoma tumor thrombus

Renal cell carcinoma has a tendency to extend via the renal vein into the inferior vena cava (IVC), and we describe a novel approach to this situation. A 64-year-old male presented with metastatic right renal cell carcinoma and tumor thrombus extending into the retrohepatic IVC. Preoperative imaging revealed a large hemangioma adjacent to the IVC, potentially complicating hepatic mobilization. Instead, we used a compliant balloon to occlude the suprahepatic IVC, securing the wire in the right hepatic vein. With the infrarenal IVC and left renal vein occluded, the thrombus was extracted via a right renal venotomy/partial cavotomy with minimal bleeding. Balloon occlusion of the suprahepatic IVC offers a safe alternative to surgical control of this vessel in difficult situations. In addition, it allows for nephrectomy through a conventional, small retroperitoneal incision rather than the extended exposure needed for the IVC. Hepatic vein positioning of the wire prevents thrombus manipulation during balloon placement.