Left innominate vein wrapping with Dacron sheath after thymectomy.

Background: Any type of radical thymectomy, open or thoracoscopic, always results in a skeletonized left innominate vein (LIV), which is highly expected to form adhesions to the posterior surface of the sternum. Therefore, in case of future sternotomy, the LIV remains highly exposed to trauma.

Methods: We describe a surgical technique that is expected to protect the innominate vein in case of future sternotomy.