[Life threatening complication after transthoracic esophageal resection].

Acute inflow stasis of the vena cava superior is an emergency case. Because of the rapidly rising venous pressure, life-threatening complications can arise (e.g. cerebral hemorrhage, hemorrhagic venous infarcts). The main cause of central venous thrombosis is bronchial carcinoma (incidence: 3-5%). Iatrogenic reasons are thrombosis caused by pacemaker electrodes, dialysis catheter, central vein catheters, implanted ports and radiation-induced venous fibrosis. In this case a patient with an esophageal carcinoma was pretreated by a neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The chemotherapy was given through a venous access port, which was implanted earlier. Radiation therapy with a total of 60 Gy followed. After the esophagectomy the patient developed an acute inflow stasis of the vena cava superior.