OBJECTIVETo sum up preliminary experience of successful resection of tumor involving important vessel in 77 cases.

METHODSSeventy-seven cases were treated in this series including 47 cases in male and 30 cases in female. The ages ranged from 18 to 75 years with the average of 57. The tumor involving thoraco-abdominal cavity was in one case with malignant neuroblastoma. The tumor from retro-peritoneum invaded into the whole inferior vena cava (IVC), and into two-thirds of the right atrium. Tumor located in thoracic cavity were in 13 cases including IVC leiomyosarcoma in 2 cases, thymic carcinoma in 3 cases, malignant thymoma in 4 cases, malignant seminoma of superior mediastinum in 1 case, malignant lymphoma in 1 case, lung cancer in 2 cases. The tumor located in abdominal cavity were in 24 cases including renal carcinoma with tumor thrombi in 11 cases, inflammatory pseudotumor of retro-peritoneum in 4 cases, malignant fibrous histiocytoma of retro-peritoneum in 1 case, non-Hodgkin's disease of retro-peritoneum in 1 case, lymph metastasis of retro-peritoneum in 2 cases, paraganglion tumor of the right adrenal gland in 1 case, ampullary carcinoma in 1 case, leiomyosarcoma of abdominal IVC in 1 case, leiomyosarcoma of pelvic cavity and IVC in 1 cases, fibrosarcoma of pelvic cavity in 1 case. Tumor located in four extremities in 6 cases including osteogenic sarcoma in 3 cases, vascular endotheliosarcoma of the left iliac fossa in 1 case, neurofibroma of the left upper extremity in 1 case, lymphoma of double groin in 1 case. Tumor located in neck in 33 cases including carotid body tumor in 32 cases and neurofibroma of the left upper extremity in 1 case.

RESULTSComplete resection of tumor was in 72 cases, with a rate of 93.5%, palliative resection of tumor was in 5 cases with a rate of 6.5%. No operative death occurred. Four cases died during peri-operative period. Reconstruction of involving vessel with vascular graft was in 13 cases, and shaping or patch closure of vessel was applied in 22 cases. Temporary shunt of carotid artery for neck tumor was used in 18 cases. No death occurred for benign tumor. The survival rate more than half year was 90.4%, and more than one year was 84.9%.

CONCLUSIONThe radical resection rate for tumor involving important vessel may be improved with the help of vascular technique.