Temporary balloon occlusion of the inferior vena cava as an alternative to cardiopulmonary bypass in resection of Wilms' tumour with vena cava extension

Up to 10 % of patients undergoing nephrectomy for Wilms' tumour have tumour thrombus involving the vena cava. A new radiological technique is described utilising a temporary occlusion balloon inserted via an open venotomy of the left internal jugular vein into the retro-hepatic cava to create a bloodless field to facilitate surgery.