Patency after iliofemoral and iliocaval venous thrombectomy.

Between 1981 and 1984, 42 iliac venous thrombectomies were performed in 41 patients with recent iliofemoral venous thromboses. Of the 42 thromboses, 18 extended into the inferior vena cava. In 31 cases a temporary arteriovenous fistula was constructed and in 21 cases the inferior vena cava was partially interrupted. Early postoperative venography was performed in 40 of 42 thrombectomy cases. One or more late venograms were done one to four years postoperatively. None of the patients died during the hospital stay, and there were no cases of intraoperative or early postoperative pulmonary embolism. Six postoperative hematomas were evacuated. Patency of the iliac veins was maintained in 93% of cases. When performed with care venous iliac thrombectomy associated with a temporary arteriovenous fistula appears to be the appropriate treatment for iliofemoral or iliocaval thromboses less than ten days old.