Two patients with chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome resulting from segmental obstruction of the inferior vena cava underwent operation. There were 1 man and 1 woman. The obstructed segment was directly visualized by a transthoracic, transdiaphragmatic, retroperitoneal approach. In these two cases, severe segmental obstruction of the inferior vena cava was observed just above the right hepatic vein. These patients underwent successful retrohepatic cavoatrial bypass with a polytetrafloroethylene [PTFE] graft [ 16mm plain and 16mm ringed graft ]. There were no operative mortality and postoperative complication. These patients have been followed up for 6months and 36months without evidence of re-obstruction. When there is a severe stricture of the IVC with hepatic veins draining freely into the obstructed segment of the IVC, a dorsal cavoatrial bypass with a PTFE graft, preferably ringed, is the method of choice.