title: Surgical removal of an inferior vena cava thrombus.
abstract: Studies on the management of inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis have rarely focused upon the risk of later development of post-thrombotic syndrome of the lower limbs. From 1983-1989, 52 patients with ilio-femoral thrombosis with an extension of thrombus into the IVC were treated. In addition to lower limb pain and swelling, 12 (23%) patients had symptomatic pulmonary embolism on admission. Perfusion/ventilation pulmonary scans were positive in 63%. Twelve patients received only anti-coagulant treatment. Thrombectomy was attempted in 40 patients, but failed in 13 patients due to old thrombi. Twenty-seven patients had surgical removal of thrombus combined with anti-coagulation [temporary arterio-venous fistula (AVF) and IVC interruption (n = 15); AVF alone (n = 9); and without fistula n = 3)]. The mortality and morbidity were low and hospital stay was not prolonged. Thirty-eight legs were examined at 7-66 months (mean: 23 +/- 3) after initial treatment. The limbs in which the IVC thrombus could not be removed (n = 20) were symptomatic in 25% of patients, venous ulcer developed in 4 of 20 limbs. The ilio-femoral segment was patent in only 35%. The thrombectomised limbs (n = 18) were asymptomatic in 56%; none had developed ulcer and iliac patency was 72%. Doppler investigations and refilling times were normal in 39% of the thrombectomised limbs. All patients without surgical IVC thrombus removal developed contralateral deep venous thrombosis during the follow-up period. This study shows that femoro-ilio-caval thrombectomy is successful only in patients with a short history and fresh clot, and can be safely performed with low morbidity and mortality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kuwait University.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Neglén
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Nazzal
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: al-Hassan
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Christenson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eklöf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality; D011186:Postphlebitic Syndrome / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000601:surgery*