[Surgical vein reconstruction in patients with tumor invasiveness of the superior caval system. Retrospective study of 7 cases].

We studied retrospectively all patients who underwent vascular reconstruction after tumor invasion of the superior vena cava in order to assess the surgical procedure. Seven patients were operated including 5 with compression of the superior vena cava. Compression regressed within 24 hours without recurrence. Reconstruction had no effect on morbidity and mortality. One patient is still alive after a 5 year follow-up. Invasion of the superior vena cava is not a contraindication for resection of a tumor localized in the thorax and may contribute to cure as it improved patient comfort in all cases.