Novel Use of Capturex Device and Reliant Balloon for Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombectomy: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Introduction: Most common tumor extending into the inferior vena cava (IVC) are renal carcinomas, such extension have been noted in nearly one-fifth of tumors. Tumor thrombectomy improves the prognosis of patients including those with extension of tumor as far as supra hepatic vena cava. In contrast, if radical nephrectomy is performed as the sole procedure, the prognosis is reduced drastically. Case Presentation: We present a case of a 42-year-old male who presented to us with renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus extending to IVC. We performed a hybrid endovascular and open procedure using novel surgical techniques to obtain proximal vena caval control and to remove the tumor thrombus—Capturex filter which was placed endovascularly 1 cm above the thrombus via the right internal jugular vein and reliant balloon was placed above the capturex below the hepatic veins. At this position, when the reliant balloon was inflated, it acted as a retro hepatic IVC control. Following vascular control, we proceeded to tumor thrombectomy and radical nephrectomy using transperitoneal approach. Patient made an uneventful recovery and was subsequently referred for medical oncology service for consideration of targeted therapy. Detailed description of the procedure is followed by the discussion of the literature.