Plication of the Vena Cava By Automatic Stapling

To the Editor.— Automatic stapling for plication of the inferior vena cava was first advocated by Sensenig.1The technique is attractive because it is more rapid and seemingly more precise. In a follow-up report in April 1970, Sensenig reported on 25 experimental animals observed for one year.2The channels had enlarged and the efficacy of the plication was lost; therefore he no longer advocated the use of this instrument for vena caval plication. Our experience with one patient would tend to confirm his recommendation. The patient's vena cava was completely patent five months following plication with the use of an automatic stapler. Report of a Case.— The patient once had a bleeding gastric ulcer. More recently, he had had at least two episodes of recurrent thrombophlebitis within four months, with onset of pain on the left side of the chest, hemoptysis, and dyspnea, for which our diagnosis was