Surgical resection of giant pheochromocytomas arising behind the retrohepatic inferior vena cava

Background: Surgical resection of retrocaval giant pheochromocytomas (PCs) and of extra-adrenal paragangliomas (EAPs) is a technically challenging procedure but data on these procedures are scarce. The purpose of this study was to present and evaluate our surgical results for such tumors. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed four consecutive patients who had surgery for giant retro-caval PCs and EAPs in terms of surgical technique, resectability of the tumor, requirement for bypass, and postoperative complications. A laparoscopic approach was not feasible in all cases because of the undesirable location of the tumors. Results: In all cases, the liver was completely mobilized from the right side to expose and control the supra- and infra-hepatic inferior vena cava. Resection of the tumors was feasible for all patients with a minimum titration of blood pressure during surgery. None of the cases required venous bypass. In the patient who had the largest tumor, the infra-hepatic inferior vena cava was transected temporally to obtain direct and maximum exposure of the tumor. None of the patients have had any postoperative complications and all are currently alive without recurrence and use of antihypertensive drugs. Conclusion: Resection of retrocaval giant PCs and EAPs is a safe procedure. Temporal transection of the infra-hepatic inferior vena cava can offer excellent exposure, especially for an extremely large tumor, without compromising hepatic and systemic hemodynamics.