Superior vena cava reconstruction in mediastinal tumors

In the event that superior vena cava (SVC) reconstruction is necessitated when resecting a mediastinal tumor, it is associated with a 30-day mortality ranging from 7% to 13%.1,2 The increased mortality is attributed to the encroachment of the tumor on surrounding structures such as the phrenic nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve, and lung. Nerve injury leads to prolonged intubation, which carries an associated increase in both intensive care unit length of stay and overall mortality. Each of these may be further compounded by the pre-operative use of chemotherapy or radiation.
Source: American Journal of Surgery - Category: Surgery Authors: Tags: My Thoughts / My Surgical Practice Source Type: research