Radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombectomy: implications for post-operative nursing care.

The surgery required to remove a renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombus is complex. IVC tumor thrombus is a complicating factor that occurs in 4% to 10% of patients with renal cell carcinoma. Nurses need to understand this surgical procedure and its inherent risks to proactively and successfully manage the patient's post-operative care and discharge plan.