Thrombectomy and temporary AV-fistula in iliofemoral vein thrombosis. Technical considerations and early results

Seventy patients with iliofemoral vein thrombosis were operated on with thrombectomy and a temporary arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Diagnosis was always verified with a three-stage venography. The result of the treatment was evaluated with arteriovenography before closing the AVF at a second operation. The AVF stayed patent in 85% and occluded in 15% of the evaluated 60 legs. In patients with patent AVF the common femoral and iliac veins were normal in 37% and in 51% there was a stenosis in either of these veins. Occlusion of the veins in spite of patent AVF was found in 12%. No major pulmonary embolism occurred. The most common complication was wound infection (26%). Technical details of the operative procedure experienced from this study are stressed in the paper.