Left brachiocephalic vein replacement and superior vena cava reconstruction with aortic homograft for thymic carcinoma

Advanced intrathoracic tumours pose a significant challenge for thoracic surgeons because of the possible involvement of adjacent vital organs and major mediastinal vessels. The most effective therapeutic option for resectable thymic carcinomas is currently represented by complete surgical asportation en bloc with adjacent infiltrated structures to achieve more effective oncological outcomes. Vascular reconstruction, when required, is traditionally performed using prosthetic conduits; however, vascular homografts represent a potential alternative with several surgical and clinical advantages. We report a case of a large thymic carcinoma with mediastinal vessel invasion successfully treated by surgical resection and vascular reconstruction using an aortic homograft.