[Vein ligation in the therapy for postpartum thrombophlebitis]

Postpartum pelvic thrombophlebitis develops within the frame of conventional common puerperal infection in septico-pyohaemic accidents observed with increasing frequence over the past few years. Their clinical picture combines fever and metastatic septic localizations in spite of an antibiotherapy that, from the start, has been most often inadequate in dosage or choice of drug. The conventional painful pelvic cord is not always perceived. Although Staphylococcus is the most frequent responsible agent, its demonstration remains exceedingly difficult and when this germ is detected, it is only to find its resistance to antibiotics. Although a well-adapted medical treatment is mandatory, it does not always appear sufficient and a complementary therapy of foremost importance is required: ligation of the inferior vena cava, possibly combined with that of lumbo-ovarian veins. Indications, modalities and results of this surgical step are reported here, with three recetly treated cases.