Quick and easy management of superior vena caval syndrome.

Superior vena caval syndrome (SVCS) is a life-threatening medical emergency that is usually treated with high-dose irradiation. Previous attempts at surgical intervention have been disappointing. Recently, the authors have successfully treated a case of SVCS with a axillo-axillary and axillary to femoral venous bypass using an externally supported synthetic graft. This is an easy, safe, and rapid alternative for the emergent treatment of superior vena caval syndrome.