Superior vena cava reconstruction under the left internal jugular vein to left femoral vein bypass support.

Abstract

The complete surgical resection of malignant thymoma is recommended. We present a rare case of tumor resection and superior vena cava (SVC) reconstruction under veno-venous bypass support from the left internal jugular vein to the left femoral vein. The full amount of systemic heparinization (3 mg/kg) was avoided. The surgical pathology revealed thymic squamous cell carcinoma. No complications such as fatal extensive bleeding, coagulopathy, thromboembolism or transfusion reaction were found postoperatively. The patient was discharged home uneventfully. The support of this veno-venous bypass allows a safe and feasible thymic tumor resection and SVC reconstruction.