Patch angioplasty of the superior vena caval obstruction (case reports with long follow-up results)

Four cases of the superior vena caval obstruction caused by mediastinal tumor and fibrous mediastinitis are presented. Palliation was achieved by resection of tumor or scar tissue and placing a Teflon or autogenous vein patch to the resected defect of the superior vena cava. One of the patients died of metastasis at 8 months postoperatively, but patency of the patch graft was confirmed. The other three are alive and well at 14, 14 and 11 years, respectively. Continued patency has been confirmed by venographies in two of them.