title: Four-year patency of PTFE grafts after replacement of the superior vena cava and the innominate veins.
abstract: We describe a simpler alternative to treating vena cava syndrome with composite spiral vein grafts. Instead, we used 2 polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts to replace the resected superior vena cava and innominate veins of a man with a malignant thymoma. Both grafts have remained patent more than 4 years after surgery, and the patient has continued asymptomatic and free of malignancy. Therefore, we recommend using PTFE grafts to replace the great veins of the thorax.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, West Houston Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garcia-Rinaldi
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zamora
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torres-Salichs
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Desantos
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Vaughan