Surgical Management of Obstruction of the Superior Vena Cava

Abstract

1. Superior vena caval obstruction is produced by benign idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis in 10 to 23 per cent of cases. The long-term outlook in patients with benign obstruction of the superior vena cava makes relief of the obstructed channel an important consideration. Selected patients with low grade radioresistant malignancy may also profit from decompression. 2. Present day cardiovascular techniques allow for surgical decompression of the obstructed vena cava. 3. A 44-year-old man with benign vena caval obstruction is presented to demonstrate the problems of successful management of this condition. Further long-term follow-up is essential for final evaluation of these techniques.