Prevention of Pulmonary Embolism by the Use of a Plastic Vena Caval Clip

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Abstract
The use of a plastic serrated vena caval clip in 20 patients for the prevention of pulmonary embolism has been described in terms of indications, technic, effect on distal venous pressure and postoperative results. No further emboli occurred postoperatively except in one patient who was erroneously diagnosed. There was little difference in distal venous pressure in 11 patients before and after insertion of the clip. At follow-up examination (2 to 24 months postoperative) edema of lower extremities had occurred in 7 of 14 patients with pre-operative edema and in 2 of 6 patients with no preoperative edema. Results with the clip compared favorably with those from a series of similar patients treated by vena caval ligation.