Surgery for vascular tumor invasion

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this paper was to evaluate our clinical experience and surgical results with oncologic procedures associated with major vascular resection and reconstruction on elective or emergent basis. Methods. A retrospective study was performed on patients who underwent major vascular resection for malignancy in our hospital between January 2000 and January 2011. Data collection was organized for patient demographics, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcome. Results. Thirty-six patients were treated with 36 reconstructive procedures; 18 (50%) of them were major-vessel reconstruction, 11 (30.6%) of them were bypass procedures, and 7 (19.4%) of them were primary repair. Concomitant vascular interventions were performed electively as part of a planned oncologic procedure in 22 (61.1%) patients or emergently in 14 (38.8%) patients due to a vascular complication that occurred during tumor resection. Postoperative morbidity rate related to vascular intervention was 16.6% and mortality was observed in 2.8% of the patients due to pulmonary embolism. Conclusion. The results reported herein support that the need for resection and reconstruction of a major vascular structure should not prohibit the resection of any given tumor. The study demonstrates that most major vascular reconstructions have a high degree of success, and do not result major complications.