Open surgical inferior vena cava filter retrieval for caval perforation and a novel technique for minimal cavotomy filter extraction.

Late complications of retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters resulting from IVC perforation and erosion into adjacent structures is an increasingly frequent phenomena. We describe six cases of open filter explantation for IVC penetration and offer a novel technique for open filter removal without the need for an extensive cavotomy. All patients had radiographic evidence of filter erosion into pericaval structures requiring open surgical filter explant. Four of the six patients underwent minimal cavatomy filter extraction, eliminating the need for caval reconstruction.