Open reconstruction of severe superior vena cava syndrome with right internal jugular-Superior vena cava bypass using femoral vein.

Abstract

Current treatment of chronic benign superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is endovascular with angioplasty/stenting1Rizvi A.Z. Kalra M. Bjarnason H. Bower T.C. Schleck C. Gloviczki P. Benign superior vena cava syndrome: Stenting is now the first line of treatment.J Vasc Surg. 2008; 47: 372-380Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (153) Google Scholar,2Wilson L.D. Detterbeck F.C. Yahalom J. Clinical practice. Superior vena cava syndrome with malignant causes.N Engl J Med. 2007; 356: 1862-1869Crossref PubMed Scopus (355) Google Scholar. Open surgical bypass is typically considered for patients who fail endovascular therapy3Picquet J. Blin V. Dussaussoy C. Jousset Y. Papon X. Enon B. Surgical reconstruction of the superior vena cava system: Indications and results.Surgery. 2009; 145: 93-99Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (36) Google Scholar,4Kalra M. Sen I. Gloviczki P. Endovenous and Operative Treatment of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome.Surg Clin North Am. 2018; 98: 321-335Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (20) Google Scholar. This report illustrates the surgical treatment of symptomatic SVCS. The patient consented to the publication. A 31-year-old male patient presented with recurrent edema and dilated veins of the upper extremities, head, neck, and chest, with concomitant severe headache. His history was significant for previous left lower extremity osteomyelitis six years before, being treated with antibiotics through a left upper extremity peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). Symptoms of SVCS developed three years later. He was treated with bilateral subclavian and innominate vein stenting extending into the superior vena cava (SVC). Despite oral anticoagulation since the first intervention, the patient had multiple in-stent reocclusions and seven reinterventions with only temporary symptom improvement. Physical examination evidenced facial edema, plethoric facies, and dilated veins in the chest and abdomen. Computed tomography venogram (CTV) demonstrated occlusion of all stents. The right internal jugular vein (RIJV) was patent at the upper-neck level, close to the carotid bifurcation and the SVC was also patent caudally to the azygos vein. A left upper extremity and central venogram were performed and attempts were made to cross the occluded stents, without success. The patient then agreed to proceed with an open reconstruction. A RIJV to SVC bypass was performed using the patient´s right femoral vein, which had 8 mm in diameter, via a median sternotomy and a right neck incision (01:39). The suitable diameter of the vein-graft relies upon the main vessels’ diameter and patient´s anatomy, although a minimum dimeter of 6 mm is generally accepted. After the SVC anastomosis, a Valsalva maneuver was performed, and the clamp was opened with the patient in Trendelenburg position to minimize the risk of air embolism. At the two-year follow-up, a patent bypass was demonstrated with symptoms resolution. Annual follow-up with duplex ultrasound will be pursued. Open surgical treatment of SVC syndrome is associated with long-term symptoms relief and is an excellent option for patients who fail endovascular treatment. The femoral vein-graft was an excellent conduit with a good size-match to the RIJV, durable results and symptoms resolution. eyJraWQiOiI4ZjUxYWNhY2IzYjhiNjNlNzFlYmIzYWFmYTU5NmZmYyIsImFsZyI6IlJTMjU2In0.eyJzdWIiOiI3OTBmNTRkMDM4ODYxZjBkNTkxYTBlMWZlNDc5OGU3NyIsImtpZCI6IjhmNTFhY2FjYjNiOGI2M2U3MWViYjNhYWZhNTk2ZmZjIiwiZXhwIjoxNjg3NTk5NzY2fQ.cmFN_OFbjDH4lOiwl1zKkjrgnyVQ2yXQnj_hVfumqU1CX0DvODIdqDnFjP8WKhsd08e_hL8cEQf62356emnlqTr0YQ3Taf7QzqEzXDSXdshLabCLWCJSBJImuFBTwhSNEbChKp9VtQEQaGgQFyoxmim8ywtDZOp91FbZKEyqSzPRGpQZ1TaQTnYdofXOPWy6HWHwpA7L72nUSdtDa6DKZAo-7fV2qqKuAhpR-b2_-TYFZ5QDsM4894KbXMoSfpiuH1MyYN3E2RcS1dja_5IiR_wUucRBjC65wTnhE2xRmiUL_0CZXxMNdfGKpq8bBaTg1GNl69QgdXWvXJkmViQ8Mw Download .mp4 (86.14 MB) Help with .mp4 files