Venous tromboembolism prophylaxis practices at surgery clinics

Objective: Venous tromboembolism is an important factor of morbidity and mortality for hospitalized patients. Recently, despite the progression on diagnosis and treatment, diciplinary approaches to prophylaxis, consisting of a consensus cannot be applied. In this study, our aim was to determine the level of risk for DVT and PE who were operated in our clinic and to indicate the prevention by appropriate prophylaxis. Material and Methods: 432 patients, who were admitted to our clinic and underwent oncologic or laparoscopic operations between Jan. 2007 and Jan. 2010 were included in this study. The age, sex, duration of admission, risk levels for VTE, risk factors and results of prophylaxis were determined. Results: 214 patients were female and 218 were male. Mean age was 48 (24-80). The mean lenght of stay was 6 (2-25) days. Very-high-risk group included 19 patients (4,4%), whereas high-risk group included 49 (11,3%), medium-risk group included 71(16,4%) and low-risk group included 293 (67,9%) patients. Prophylaxis included early mobilization for low-risk group, 2 doses of LMWH in 24 hours for medium-risk group, LMWH for 7-10 days for high-risk group and LMWH, antiembolic socks, early mobilization and IPC (intermittant pneumotic compression) for very-high risk group. 2 patients had DVT and 1 had PE under appropriate prophylaxis. No mortality occured. Conclusion: Pulmonary embolism is a preventable cause of death that among hospitalized patients. There is no consensus on prophylaxis in surgical clinics. DVT and VTE can be prevented by determining the risk levels of patients using scoring systems and administrating appropriate prophylaxis.