Pulmonary embolism secondary to puerperal ovarian vein thrombophlebitis

Four cases of pulmonary embolism (PE) secondary to puerperal ovarian vein thrombophlebitis (POVT) were treated surgically during the first semester 1990. Clinical features are described in detail. The diagnosis was made by echotomography in three cases, but the crucial examination was contrast phlebocavography in all the subjects. Ovarian vein ligation, caval thrombectomy and inferior vena cava interruption by DeWeese clip positioning was the operation performed in any cases. Postoperative courses were always uneventful and three to six months follow-up was available. The extensive practice of echotomography during the first week of puerperium could demonstrate that POVT is more frequent than previously thought.