Open surgical removal of iliac vein Wallstents with excision of pseudointima obstructing the contralateral iliac vein

Persistent pain after iliac vein stenting is rare. Surgical removal of two oversized (20-mm) iliac vein stents was performed in a 36-year-old woman because of severe back pain of 2½ years' duration. Clamping or venotomy were not required for stent removal, which was done by extraction of each wire of the stent through small puncture wounds in the vein wall. Duplex scanning confirmed residual pseudointima obstructing the orifice of the right common iliac vein. The pseudointima was surgically removed. The patient recovered without complications, and her pain completely resolved.