Use of rigid bronchoscopic forceps in the difficult retrieval of the Günther Tulip inferior vena cava filter.

Retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters may, over time, become incorporated into the wall of the IVC, making subsequent removal difficult. The authors present a case in which a Günther Tulip filter was placed prophylactically before gastric bypass surgery. The retrieval hook of the filter became incorporated into the wall of the IVC, preventing the filter from being snared. Eventually, the filter was freed from the wall of the IVC and successfully removed by using rigid bronchoscopy forceps; however, the filter was damaged in the process.