Ligation of the Left Renal Vein in a Patient with Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma with Tumor Thrombosis of the Inferior Vena Cava and Right Renal Vein

Left renal vein ligation is routinely performed to improve surgical exposure of the abdominal aorta, with documented short- and long-term safety. However, there is controversy in the literature regarding its impact on postoperative renal function. We will describe the diagnostic and surgical approach of a 54-year-old male patient with clear cell renal cell carcinoma and tumor thrombosis of the inferior vena cava and right renal vein. An inferior vena cava suprarenal filter was placed prior to right radical nephrectomy, partial inferior vena cava resection, appendectomy, and cholecystectomy with ligation of the left renal vein. This clinical case will help us understand the importance of using this procedure to achieve good surgical exposure and how to perform it safely in selected cases without significant deterioration of renal function, as demonstrated by the available literature.