THE VENOUS THROMBECTOMY - OBSOLETE OR FORGOTTEN

This report describes the surgical management of three patients with a n extended ilio-femoral deep venous thrombosis. In the first patient a residual occlusion of the common iliac vein was treated conservativel y and this patient developed severe chronic venous insufficiency. In t he second patient a residual (sub)occlusion of the common iliac vein w as treated with a stent and this patient remained asymptomatic with tw o years follow-up. In the third patient no residual or underlying anat omical abnormality was found with a good result at one year. Venous th rombectomy still has a place in the treatment of deep venous thrombosi s and the long term results may be improved by application of endovasc ular techniques.