Objective: To evaluate the role of intraoperative real-time transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for the anesthetic and surgical management of patients with renal cell carcinoma and vena cava extension.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of the intraoperative application of TEE in a series of 4 patients.
Results: Real-time TEE with a multiplane probe allowed visualization of inferior vena cava tumor extensions, accurate assessment of the distal extent of vena cava invasion into hepatic veins and right atrium, monitoring of embolism and evaluation of cardiac preload and function in all patients.
Conclusion: Intraoperative TEE is a useful adjunct to the anesthetic and surgical management of patients with renal cell carcinoma and vena cava extension.