ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) through three different approaches combined with iliac venous endovascular therapy for acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) complicated with Cockett syndrome of the lower extremities. MethodThe clinical data of 87 patients with CDT through three different approaches (small saphenous vein group, popliteal vein group, and posterior tibial vein group) combined with iliac venous endovascular therapy for DVT complicated with Cockett syndrome of the lower extremities were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsThe lower extremity swelling of all the patients were disappeared obviously within 72 h after surgery, there was no death related surgery and pulmonary embolism. The limb edema reduction rates had no significant differences among the small saphenous vein group, popliteal vein group, and posterior tibial vein group﹝(77±13)% versus (82±12)% versus (77±18)%, P > 0.05﹞. The recanalization rates of thrombolysis had no significant differences among the above three groups﹝(86.5±10.6)% versus (92.0±7.7)% versus (87.3±7.8)%, P > 0.05﹞. The time required for the cannulation in the posterior tibial vein group was significantly shorter than that of the small saphenous vein group or popliteal vein group﹝(15.14±3.62) min versus (32.62±9.36) min or (42.79±13.30) min, P < 0.01﹞. All the patients were performed by balloon dilatation and iliac vein stenting. Eighty-seven cases were followed-up for 1-24 months, the primary patency rate of iliac venous was 100%. ConclusionsCDT with iliac venous endovascular therapy is an effective method in treatment of acute DVT with Cockett syndrome. CDT through posterior tibial vein is an easier and effective method with less complications and time. This way could be acceptable in basal hospital.