Open Inferior Vena Cava Filter Removal

The last several decades have seen dramatic changes in the standards for both the insertion and removal of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters. Retrievable and nonretrievable IVC filters can frequently be removed by endovascular techniques. Because IVC filters rarely cause symptoms or result in complications, those that cannot be easily removed are usually left in place. Open removal is reserved for IVC filters with complications or causing...