[Operative therapy: thrombectomy, umbrella filter, caval ligation (author's transl)].

The goals of our therapeutic trials in acute leg and pelvic vein thrombosis are to 1. Prevent embolism, 2. Salvage the limb, 3. Prevent the postthrombotic syndrome. Early surgical thrombectomy guarantees salvage of the limb in most cases; the frequency of pulmonary embolism can be significantly reduced compared to the spontaneous course and frequency of the postthrombotic syndrome. For recidivistic pulmonary embolism the umbrella filter of Mobin-Uddin, which is implanted via a transjugular pathway, is today the treatment of choice. Further embolisms are rare. For massive lung embolism, extracorporal circulation is necessary: The formerly used Trendelenburg operation is no longer justified.