Local hospital performs rare robotic kidney cancer surgery with IVC thrombectomy

AdventHealth Porter’s surgical team completed a highly specialized robotic left radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava thrombectomy on December 9, 2025. The operation addresses kidney tumors that have grown into the inferior vena cava, a large vein that returns blood to the heart, and requires technical precision, complex planning, and coordinated care across surgical and medical specialties. The case was led by Dr. Julien Dagenais.

Such procedures are rare. Fewer than 100 comparable cases have been published worldwide, making this a notable milestone for the hospital and for patients in the Rocky Mountain Region. Surgeons use a robotic approach to remove the kidney and extract tumor thrombus from the vena cava while minimizing blood loss and improving visualization. Successful outcomes depend on expert teams that include urologic surgeons, vascular or cardiothoracic specialists, anesthesiologists, and critical care support.

For Douglas County residents the immediate impact is tangible. Access to this level of surgical care locally can reduce the need for long distance travel to specialty centers, shorten the time from diagnosis to treatment, and keep postoperative recovery and follow up within the community. The development also signals growing surgical capabilities at AdventHealth Porter and a commitment to advanced cancer care that may change referral patterns for complex urologic cancers across the region.

The procedure carries higher risks than routine kidney surgery and is not appropriate for every patient. Multidisciplinary evaluation remains essential to determine candidacy and to plan perioperative care. Patients with aggressive or advanced kidney tumors should consult their physicians about available options and whether referral for specialized assessment is warranted.

AdventHealth Porter’s successful completion of this complex robotic operation underscores both the promise and the responsibilities of bringing high level cancer surgery to a regional hospital. For local families facing kidney cancer the advance offers a new option close to home, while reinforcing the importance of specialized teams and careful patient selection in achieving the best possible outcomes.