Surgical thrombolysis is a procedure used to remove or dissolve blood clots that are blocking blood vessels, typically in cases of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). This procedure involves either the mechanical removal of the clot or the use of clot-dissolving medications (thrombolytics) to break up the clot and restore normal circulation.

Surgical thrombolysis is used when other treatments, such as anticoagulants, are not effective or when the clot poses an immediate risk to the patient's health, such as in cases of massive PE or limb-threatening DVT.