[Resection for lung cancer invading the superior vena cava].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the feasibility and the value of resection for lung cancer invading the superior vena cava (SVC).


METHODS
Between 1988 and 2005 the data of 31 patients who underwent resection were analyzed retrospectively. The reconstruction was done using simple suture, pericardial patch or prosthetic replacement. Postoperative morbidity, long-term survival were examined using the Kaplan-Meier method (Log rank test) and the COX model for survival.


RESULTS
Seventeen squamous cell carcinomas, 8 adenocarcinomas, and 6 undifferentiated small cell carcinomas were resected. There were 13 partial SVC resection, the reconstruction was done using a simple running in 5 patients, and a pericardial patch in 8 patients. Eighteen patients underwent complete resection of SVC with prosthetic replacement. The time of clamping the SVC system was from 8 to 35 minutes for complete resection patients, while the time was from 3 to 15 minutes for partial resection patients. One patient didn't clamp the SVC. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were 48% and 0%, respectively. One, 3 and 5-year survival rates were 61%, 33% and 21%, respectively, with median survival at 31 months. Survival rate of patients with N2 disease was obviously lower than those with localized (N0/N1) nodal disease (chi2 = 14.3, P = 0.000), the median survival was 42 and 13 months respectively. There were no significant effects on overall survival with pathologic features and surgery methods. Survival rate of patients with induction chemotherapy before operation or intraoperative chemotherapy was higher than those received direct surgery (chi2 = 5.0, P = 0.025), the median survival was 39 and 14 months respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The resection of the SVC for involvement by lung cancer can be performed in selected patients, especially for those with localized (N0/N1) nodal disease. Induction chemotherapy should be performed.
Peng
Zhong-min
ZM
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan 250021, China. pengzhm@163.com
Chen
Jing-han
JH
Meng
Long
L
DU
Jia-jun
JJ
Wang
Lei
L
Zhang
Lin
L
Wang
Xiao-hang
XH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D019043:Vascular Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000473:pathology*