Perioperative venous thromboembolism prophylaxis

The benign laparoscopy and the open ovarian-cancer cytoreduction are both “gynaecological surgery,” but they do not carry the same thrombotic risk. The safe registrar names procedure risk, patient risk, bleeding risk, method, timing and duration—then reassesses all six after surgery.^[1][4]

Definition and classification

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) combines deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Perioperative thromboprophylaxis reduces risk with mobilisation, mechanical compression and/or anticoagulants before a clot forms. Treatment-dose anticoagulation for suspected or proven VTE is a different pathway.^[1][4]

Mechanical methods include intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) and, in selected protocols, graduated compression stockings. Pharmacological options are low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin (UFH). Aspirin is not routine first-line prophylaxis for major gynaecological cancer surgery.^[1][4][5]

References13ShowHide

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