[Leg-/pelvic vein thrombosis from the viewpoint of the surgeon].

The pathogenesis of venous thrombosis is far less clear than that of arterial thrombosis. In spite of physical and medical prophylaxis, there is still a risk of thrombosis of approx. 5% left after elective abdominal surgery. Ascending phlebography cannot be dispensed with in case of an active therapeutic procedure such as fibrinolysis or venous thromectomy. In order to settle the question of thrombolysis or thrombectomy, we have to consider (1) the extent of the thrombosis, (2) the time of existence of the thrombosis, and (3) possible contra-indication of either method. Thus the two techniques do not compete with each other but are complementary. Because of the heterogeinity of the patients and the different indications for treatment, the results obtained in these two methods are hardly comparable.