Erosion of inferior vena caval filter noted during robotic assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters are mechanical devices implanted to provide prophylaxis against pulmonary emboli in patients for whom standard anticoagulation is either inadequate or contraindicated. A 67-year-old female with a 10-year-old indwelling IVC filter underwent robotic assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for a right upper pole renal mass. Renal hilum dissection was complicated by adhesions secondary to eroded IVC filter struts. IVC filter erosion is a well-described phoenomena in both the radiologic and surgical literature. As many as 25% of filters are noted to be radiographi...