Surgical Removal of the Inferior Vena Cava Filter Using Minimal Cavotomy: A Case Report

Abstract

The use of retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters has markedly increased in the recent years. However, the failure rate for the retrieval of the IVC filters using the endovascular method is reported to be up to 19%. Open surgical removal of the IVC filters is technically challenging and may require longitudinal cavotomy, clamping, and repair of the IVC. Here, we present a case of successful open surgical removal of the IVC filter using minimal cavotomy. This technique is an effective method after a failed endovascular removal attempt.

Keywords

• Inferior vena cava
• Vena cava filter
• Retrievable filter
• Retrieval failure