Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2006 Jan;39(1):68-71.

Reconstruction of the Superior Vena Cava with Extra-luminal Bypass Shunt

• Shin JS
• Jo WM
• Min BZ
• Chung WJ
• Lee IS

Abstract

We operated on a 41-year-old man using venous bypass shunt for superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome caused by mediastinal fibrosis. The patient had substantially high venous pressure and high risk of postoperative neurologic deficits. The collateral veins were deemed to be interrupted during the surgical reconstruction of SVC. Treatment included resection of the obstructed SVC and innominate vein and reconstruction with an autologous pericardial tube graft. During the operation, venous drainage from upper body was maintained with an extraluminal bypass shunt. The shunt was effective at prompt relief of venous hypertension, eliminating the time constraints, and preventing the postoperative complications.

Keyword

Superior vena cava syndrome; Shunts; Pericardium

MeSH Terms

Adult
Brachiocephalic Veins
Drainage
Fibrosis
Humans
Hypertension
Neurologic Manifestations
Pericardium
Postoperative Complications
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
Transplants
Veins
Vena Cava, Superior*
Venous Pressure