[Partial occlusion of the inferior vena cava by clips. Indications and results about 95 cases (author's transl)].

Vena cava clips were applied in 95 patients between October 1975 and October 1979, without mortality directly related to the surgical intervention. One patients died early after operation due to an associated thoracic aorta aneurysm. The 10 deaths occurring at a later stage were not related to the insertion of the clips or its consequences. One patient developed a pulmonary embolism during operation, as a result of a concomitant juxtarenal thrombectomy. Postoperative extension of a femoropopliteal thrombosis or bilateralization of an iliac phlebitis was observed in 31 p.cent (30 out of 95) of cases. Permeability of the inferior vena cava was confirmed in 32 patients, 65 p. cent of the clips remained patent. Lower limb venous sequelae, related to the insertion of the clip or its consequences, were noted in 34 p.cent (24 of 69) but caused little inconvenience. Severe venous disorders, due to the thrombo-embolic disease, were always present before the insertion of the clips. Postoperative morbidity was low, the clip causing extension of previously existing venous thrombosis, without significant distal sequelae. The absence of recurrence of pulmonary embolism demonstrates the efficacy of this method. The employ of a caval filter to preserve improved permeability of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is discussed.