Use of the smooth Teflon clip to prevent pulmonary embolism in the postoperative period.

This report details experience with 50 patients who had vena caval interruption with a smooth Teflon (Moretz) clip placed at the time of surgery for other conditions in a high-risk patient population. No fatal pulmonary emboli were encountered; one patient developed bilateral iliofemoral venous thrombosis during the immediate postoperative period (Table 9). Another patient developed iliofemoral venous thrombosis and a nonfatal embolus two years after the vena caval interruption. Two patients developed postoperative edema, but no incapacitating edema and no ulcers were noted. Many of our patients were subjected to further risk of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism when hospitalization for medical care or operative procedures was required subsequent to the initial procedure. Vena caval interruption with a smooth Teflon clip can be recommended to prevent pulmonary embolism in high-risk patients who require surgery and to provide continuing protection during subsequent illness; however, extremity sequelae are minimal.