Low Risk of Thromboembolic Complications After Fast-Track Abdominal Surgery With Thrombosis-Prophylaxis Only During Hospital Stay
Abstract
Methods: Ninety-eight patients, median age 67 years, were enrolled in a prospective two-center observational study of colorectal resections following the ERAS principles. Seventy-seven patients (78.6%) were resected for colonic cancer, the rest for benign colonic diseases. Fifty percent of the patients were discharged from hospital within three days after surgery. Follow-up examinations took place at 8 and 30 days after surgery with clinical examination for thromboembolism. The patients enrolled at one of the centers were also scheduled for a routine venography at day 8. Seventeen of these were evaluated.
Results: Clinical follow-up at day 8 of 72 patients (73.5%) revealed no venous thromboembolism (VTE), and the 17 venograms did not show any thromboses. Clinical follow-up at day 30 of 74 patients (75.5%) showed no deep venous thrombosis (DVT), whereas pulmonary embolus (PE) was suspected and verified in one patient (1.3%) with pulmonary metastases and pneumonia.
Conclusions: Prophylaxis until full mobilization seems to be sufficient following major surgery in patients treated with the principles of ERAS who remain in hospital for 3 - 4 days.
Gastroenterol Res. 2011;4(3):107-113
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/gr320e