Indications and Outcomes of Open Inferior Vena Cava Filter Removal

Despite recommendations for retrieval of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters, most are not removed in a timely manner. Longer IVC filter dwell times are associated with caval wall perforation and tilting that make percutaneous retrieval more difficult. Open IVC filter removal is generally reserved for patients with symptoms referable to the filter, such as chronic back and abdominal pain. We present our management algorithm and review of cases of open IVC filter removal.

Patients referred for management of implanted IVC filters from May 2010 to May 2016 were included. Demographic and imaging were reviewed for cases requiring open surgical removal.

There were 221 percutaneous retrieval attempts in 218 patients. Successful retrieval occurred in 196 (89%) attempts. There were 7 patients who had open surgical IVC filter removal after failure of percutaneous retrieval. One patient had 2 filters and another had 3 filters. Except for 1 case with complications during the percutaneous retrieval procedure, the remaining patients all suffered from back or abdominal pain. All had significant filter strut penetration through the caval wall into adjacent structures. Postoperatively, all patients had relief of pain. There were no deaths and 1 patient had a minor ileus that spontaneously resolved.

Patients who fail percutaneous IVC filter retrieval can expect low morbidity and prompt resolution of symptoms after open surgical removal via minilaparotomy.