Endoluminal control of the inferior vena cava during resection of a level III tumor thrombus associated with renal cell carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Removal of tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava (IVC) associated with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) presents a surgical challenge. Traditional techniques for vena caval control and thrombectomy for level III and IV thrombi require considerable added surgical morbidity. We present a case employing an endoluminal approach using balloon occlusion for vascular control and subsequent tumor resection. We also review other minimally invasive techniques described recently in the literature and compare these techniques with our own.