Superior vena cava syndrome: report of a new operative technique.

A case of superior vena cava syndrome secondary to longstanding benign obstructing disease is presented. A new method of surgical technique is detailed. Clinical manifestations, etiology, anatomy, diagnosis, and treatment of superior vena cava syndrome are reviewed and principles of successful surgical treatment of the venous system are elucidated. The multiplicity of clinical and experimental techniques utilized in the past is succinctly tabulated.