To investigate nonpermanent inferior vena cava (IVC) filter in the prevention of perioperative pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients of lower extremity and/or pelvic bone fracture with deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Lower extremity or pelvic bone fracture patients with lower extremity DVT hospitalized in our hospital from January 2003 to October 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Data was analyzed for age, gender, position of fracture, position of proximal of thrombosis, indications of placement, complications, retrieval rate, and rate of entrapped filter clot. Patients who underwent IVC filter placement were selected as the filter group. The patients who did not perform IVC filter placement after 2008 and the cases between January 2003 and December 2007 were selected as control group 1 and control group 2, respectively. The incidence of perioperative symptomatic PE and mortality were analyzed.

A total of 2763 cases complicated with DVT underwent orthopedic surgery between January 2003 and October 2014. 823 nonpermanent filters were inserted. All filters were successfully deployed with no major complications. After a mean 14.2 days indwelling time, all of temporary filters were removed. Retrieval was attempted in 556 patients with retrievable filters and was successful in 545 (98%); mean indwelling time was 16.3 days. The total retrieval rate was 90%. The incidence of PE in the filter group was significantly lower compared with the two control groups. Among the patients who received chemical anticoagulant therapy, the incidence of PE in filter group, control group 1 and control group 2 were 0.14%, 1.60% and 2.10%, respectively. The incidence of PE in filter group was also significant lower compared with control groups.

Nonpermanent IVC filter placement seems like to be a safe and effective method for preventing perioperative symptomatic and fatal PE in bone fracture patients with DVT in the present retrospective study.