Percutaneous blunt dissection technique for retrieval of over-the-wire Greenfield filters.

Although the over-the-wire Greenfield filter was designed as a permanent filter, the present report describes two patients who had Greenfield filters percutaneously removed. One was removed at approximately 2,250 days after placement. This patient had developed severe abdominal pain believed to be caused by the filter that resolved after percutaneous filter removal. The second patient had the filter removed 8 months after placement at her request. The technique of filter removal involves the use of large telescoping sheaths to facilitate separation of the filter from the vena caval wall.