Studies have shown that 36% of patients who had thrombectomy for DVT had normal venous function compared with 11% of patients treated conservatively (with anticoagulation only). After 10 years, reflux of blood in the popliteal vein (behind the knee) was found in 32% of patients who had surgery and in 67% of the conservatively treated group. Thus, surgical thrombectomy has very few complications and prevents the severe post-thrombotic syndrome better than conventional conservative treatment.