Chest, Vol 89, 434S-437S, Copyright © 1986 by American College of Chest Physicians

ARTICLES

Role of surgery in iliofemoral venous thrombosis

RB Rutherford

Thrombectomy has a limited but definite role in the clinical management of patients with iliofemoral venous thrombosis. It is best applied selectively to achieve specific goals in two different groups of patients at either end of the disease spectrum. In relatively active healthy young patients with phlegmasia alba dolens operated on relatively soon after thrombosis, better protection against the late postthrombotic sequelae can be achieved. Patients with malignancy, underlying coagulopathy, or those who are inactive or have a limited life expectancy due to age or concurrent disease should not be operated on for bland thrombosis. At the other extreme, when phlegmasia cerulea dolens causes painful tense swelling, increases compartmental or decreases ankle pressures, and threatens limb viability in spite of heparinization and leg elevation, thrombectomy should be performed.