Objective To analyze the strategy and skill of resection for lung cancer invading the superior vena cava (SVC) and improve the surgical treatment results. Methods An analysis of 35 patients who underwent surgery for lung cancer invading the SVC was performed. The pressure of SVC before and during operation, and the time of clamping the SVC were recorded. The conjunctival oedema was observed. 14 mm or 16 mm diameter terylene or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft artificial vessel were used to replace SVC.The continuous everted suture was applied with 4-0 Prolene. The embolism of artificial vessel and stomal hemorrhage were observed after operation. Results The SVC replacement with prothesis were performed in 20 patients in which the SVC hadn’t clamped in 5 patients. The clamping time was 8-35 mins for another 15 patients with SVC clamped.The clamping time were 1735 mins and 8-20mins respectively for patients with or without conjunctival oedema.The pressure of SVC was 20-45cmH2O before operation and the maximal pressure was 37-56cmH2O during operation for patients with clamping SVC. The maximal pressure during operation was 48-56cmH2O and 37-47cmH2O for patients with or without conjunctival edema, the difference was significant (P=0.000).No mortality or embolism of artificial vessel,but the stomal hemorrhage was found for one patients cured by reoperation. Thirtytwo patients was followed up for 4-130 months,the median survival time was 35 months. Conclusion No clamping of SVC or short time clamping with some operative skill can avoid the occurrence of cerebral edema. Selecting suitable length and roughness of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene artificial vessel and continuous everted suture with suitable slide suture is important for avoiding the occurrence of embolism and the stomal hemorrhage.