[Surgical treatment of superior vena cava syndrome (SVC)]

SVC syndrome is occurred by the occlusion or stenosis of the superior vena cava secondary to malignant mediastinal tumor. Up to this report, surgical intervention has been thought to be difficult. Recently, extent of the tumor has been diagnosed exactly by CT scan, NMR, and angiography. Several cases undergoing complete resection of the tumor with the technique of vascular surgery have been reported. During the past 10 years, we have experienced 21 cases of SVC syndrome. 16 patients had operations and 5 patients had radiation or chemotherapy. The methods of operations were as follows: complete resection of the tumor 1, complete resection of the tumor and reconstruction of SVC 2, subtotal resection of the tumor and reconstruction of SVC 2, bypass of SVC only 5, extra-anatomical bypass 3. PTFE grafts were placed between right subclavian vein and SVC or left subclavian vein and right atrium. Extra-anatomical bypass were placed between jugular vein and femoral vein. PTFE bypass graft provides effective treatment for SVC obstruction with immediate and long term relief of SVC syndrome.