Superior Vena Cava and Innominate Vein Reconstruction in Thoracic Malignancies: Double-Vein Reconstruction

Abstract

Extensive major venous resection and reconstruction with prosthetic vascular conduits are feasible with very good shortand long-term results. Okereke et al1 described the use of an externally stented polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) conduit for bypass of the superior vena cava (SVC) with 90% patency at a mean of 24 months. Sekine et al2 expanded on the traditional method of reconstruction by using direct independent grafts between the left and right innominate veins (IV) and the right atrium. We describe our technique for independent reconstruction of the left and right innominate venous systems by using ringed PTFE prosthetic vascular grafts.