The azygos vein arises as a continuation of the right ascending lumbar vein at the level of the first lumbar intervertebral space. It pierces the diaphragm to the right of the aorta and continues ...

An increased pressure gradient across the stenosis, or the presence of collateral circulation through the retroperitoneal, vertebral, intercostal, and azygos veins, are better indications of the ...

The instrumentation is identical except for the endovascular 30 mm stapler used to transect the azygos vein. A thoracotomy tray should be kept ready in case an emergency thoracotomy is necessary ...