Total replacement of the aorta and the inferior vena cava after resection of an extra-adrenal malignant pheochromocytoma.

Extra-adrenal malignant pheochromocytomas are difficult to operate on because of a tight adhesion to the circumference of tumors. However, an operation is the most curable treatment. Sometimes a replacement of the inferior vena cava with grafts is necessary for removing tumors completely. We totally replaced the aorta and the inferior vena cava after resection of an extra-adrenal malignant pheochromocytoma. No recurrence has been detected, and the aortic graft has had a good patency after 36 months postoperatively. But the vena caval graft has had no patency after 21 months postoperatively. Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel