Robot‐assisted radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy: Initial experience in Japan

INTRODUCTION: Open surgical approach remains the standard treatment for renal cell carcinoma with an inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. In recent years, however, robot‐assisted radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy have emerged as minimally invasive alternatives to conventional open surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we describe a 76‐year‐old female patient with right renal cell carcinoma with a level I inferior vena cava thrombus undergoing robot‐assisted radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy, which was successfully completed with a purely robotic procedure, resulting in the following outcomes: console time,167 min; total operative time, 211 min; and estimated blood loss, 150 mL. To our knowledge, this is the first case managed by robot‐assisted radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy in Japan. CONCLUSION: Based on our experience, it might be worthwhile to consider purely robotic surgery for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma with an inferior vena cava thrombus.