specific advice with respect to reducing venous thromboembolism risk related to different types of surgery

Last reviewed 01/2018

  • see linked items below

Notes:

  • length of thromboprophylaxis
    • prolonged thromboprophylaxis (for at least 1 month after abdominal or pelvic surgery) with LMWH significantly reduces the risk of VTE compared to thromboprophylaxis during hospital admittance only, without increasing bleeding complications after major abdominal or pelvic surgery (2)

Reference:

  1. NICE (April 2007). Venous thromboembolism Reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) in inpatients undergoing surgery)
  2. Rasmussen MS et al. Prolonged thromboprophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin for abdominal or pelvic surgery. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Jan 21;(1):CD004318

Related pages:

risk factors and associated increased risk for development of venous thromboembolism in surgical patients

cardiac surgery and reduction of risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)

gastrointestinal, gynaecological, thoracic and urological surgery and reduction of risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)

neurological (cranial or spinal) surgery and reduction in risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)

orthopaedic surgery - elective hip replacement, elective knee replacement and hip fracture and reduction of risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)

DVT

PE (pulmonary embolism)