Infection complications after thrombectomy in deep venous thrombosis.

In acute iliofemoral vein thrombosis thrombectomy with a temporary AV-fistula is an alternative treatment to induced fibrinolysis and anticoagulation. Reviewing our results we have found an extremely high incidence of wound infections. In 36 patients thrombectomy with temporary AV-fistula has been performed. 31% of these had a postoperative wound infection. The mean hospital stay for the infected patients was 25 days compared to 10 days for the non-infected patients. In 26 patients a second, elective operation with closure of the AV-fistula was performed. 15% of these patients developed postoperative wound infection. The mean hospital stay for the infected patients was 18 days compared to 5 days for the non-infected patients.