Low-Dose Rivaroxaban as Extended Prophylaxis Reduces Postdischarge Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Malignancy and IBD

BACKGROUND

Despite guidelines suggesting the use of extended prophylaxis for prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients with colorectal cancer and perhaps IBD, routine use is low and scant data exist regarding oral forms of therapy.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose was to compare the incidence of postdischarge venous thromboembolism in patients given extended prophylaxis with low-dose rivaroxaban.

DESIGN

We used propensity matching to compare pre- and postintervention analyses from a 2-year period before instituting extended prophylaxis.

SETTING

All colorectal patients at a single institution were prospectively considered for extended prophylaxis.

PATIENTS

Patients with a diagnosis of IBD or colorectal cancer who underwent operative resection were included.

INTERVENTIONS

Those considered for extended prophylaxis were prescribed 10 mg of rivaroxaban for 30 days postsurgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was venous thromboembolism incidence 30 days postdischarge. The secondary outcome was bleeding rates, major or minor.

RESULTS

Of the 498 patients considered for extended prophylaxis, 363 were discharged with rivaroxaban, 81 on baseline anticoagulation, and 54 without anticoagulation. Propensity-matched cohorts based on stoma creation, operative approach, procedure type, and BMI were made to 174 historical controls. After excluding cases of inpatient venous thromboembolism, postoperative rates were lower in the prospective cohort (4.8% vs 0.6%, p = 0.019). In the prospective group, 36 episodes of bleeding occurred, 26 (7.2%) were discharged with rivaroxaban, 8 (9.9%) discharged on other anticoagulants, and 2 (3.7%) with no postoperative anticoagulation. Cases of major bleeding were 1.1% (4/363) in the rivaroxaban group, and each required intervention.

LIMITATIONS

The study was limited to a single institution and did not include a placebo arm.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with IBD and colorectal cancer, extended prophylaxis with low-dose rivaroxaban led to a significant decrease in postdischarge thromboembolic events with a low bleeding risk profile. See Video Abstract .

RIVAROXABN EN DOSIS BAJAS COMO PROFILAXIS PROLONGADA REDUCE LA TROMBOEMBOLIA VENOSA POSTERIOR AL ALTA, EN PACIENTES CON NEOPLASIAS MALIGNAS Y ENFERMEDAD INFLAMATORIA INTESTINAL

ANTECEDENTES:A pesar de las normas que sugieren el uso de profilaxis extendida para la prevención del tromboembolismo venoso en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal y tal vez enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, el uso rutinario es bajo y existen escasos datos sobre las formas orales de terapia.OBJETIVO:Comparar la incidencia de tromboembolismo venoso posterior al alta, en pacientes que recibieron profilaxis prolongada con dosis bajas de rivaroxabán.DISEÑO:Utilizamos el emparejamiento de propensión para comparar un análisis previo y posterior a la intervención de un período de 2 años antes de instituir la profilaxis extendida.AJUSTE:Todos los pacientes colorrectales en una sola institución fueron considerados prospectivamente para profilaxis extendida.PACIENTES:Incluidos pacientes con diagnóstico de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal o cáncer colorrectal sometidos a resección quirúrgica.INTERVENCIONES:A los considerados para profilaxis extendida se les prescribió 10 mg de rivaroxabán durante 30 días postoperatorios.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:El resultado primario fue la incidencia de tromboembolismo venoso 30 días después del alta. El resultado secundario fueron las tasas de hemorragia, mayor o menor.RESULTADOS:De los 498 pacientes considerados para profilaxis extendida, 363 fueron dados de alta con rivaroxabán, 81 con anticoagulación inicial y 54 sin anticoagulación. Se realizaron cohortes emparejadas por propensión basadas en la creación de la estoma, abordaje quirúrgico, tipo de procedimiento y el índice de masa corporal en 174 controles históricos. Después de excluir los casos de tromboembolismo venoso hospitalizado, las tasas posoperatorias fueron más bajas en la cohorte prospectiva (4,8% frente a 0,6%, p = 0,019). En el grupo prospectivo ocurrieron 36 episodios de hemorragia, 26 (7,2%) fueron dados de alta con rivaroxaban, 8 (9,9%) fueron dados de alta con otros anticoagulantes y 2 (3,7%) sin anticoagulación posoperatoria. Los casos de hemorragia mayor fueron del 1,1% (4/363) en el grupo de rivaroxabán y cada uno requirió intervención.LIMITACIONES:Limitado a una sola institución y no incluyó un grupo de placebo.CONCLUSIONES:Entre los pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal y cáncer colorrectal, la profilaxis extendida con dosis bajas de rivaroxabán condujo a una disminución significativa de los eventos tromboembólicos posteriores al alta, con un perfil de riesgo de hemorragia bajo. (Traducción-Dr. Fidel Ruiz Healy).

The impact of urgency of umbilical hernia repair on adverse outcomes in patients with cirrhosis: a population-based cohort study from England

INTRODUCTION

Umbilical hernia is common in patients with cirrhosis; however, there is a paucity of dedicated studies on postoperative outcomes in this group of patients. This population-based cohort study aimed to determine the outcomes after emergency and elective umbilical hernia repair in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

Two linked electronic healthcare databases from England were used to identify all patients undergoing umbilical hernia repair between January 2000 and December 2017. Patients were grouped into those with and without cirrhosis and stratified by severity into compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. Length of stay, readmission, 90-day case fatality rate and the odds ratio of 90-day postoperative mortality were defined using logistic regression.

RESULTS

In total, 22,163 patients who underwent an umbilical hernia repair were included and 297 (1.34%) had cirrhosis. More patients without cirrhosis had an elective procedure, 86% compared with 51% of those with cirrhosis (P < 0.001). In both the elective and emergency settings, patients with cirrhosis had longer hospital length of stay (elective: 0 vs 1 day, emergency: 2 vs 4 days, P < 0.0001) and higher readmission rates (elective: 4.87% vs 11.33%, emergency:11.39% vs 29.25%, P < 0.0001) than those without cirrhosis. The 90-day case fatality rates were 2% and 0.16% in the elective setting, and 19% and 2.96% in the emergency setting in patients with and without cirrhosis respectively.

CONCLUSION

Emergency umbilical hernia repair in patients with cirrhosis is associated with poorer outcomes in terms of length of stay, readmissions and mortality at 90 days.

Risk of Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism After Benign Colorectal Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism is a well-established preventable complication after colectomy. Specific guidance on venous thromboembolism prevention after colectomy for benign disease is limited.

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis aimed to quantify the venous thromboembolism risk after benign colorectal resection and determine its variability.

DATA SOURCES

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42021265438), Embase, MEDLINE, and 4 other registered medical literature databases were searched from the database inception to June 21, 2021.

STUDY SELECTION

Inclusion criteria: randomized controlled trials and large population-based database cohort studies reporting 30-day and 90-day venous thromboembolism rates after benign colorectal resection in patients aged ≥18 years. Exclusion criteria: patients undergoing colorectal cancer or completely endoscopic surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Thirty- and 90-day venous thromboembolism incidence rates per 1000 person-years after benign colorectal surgery.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies were eligible for meta-analysis reporting on 250,170 patients. Pooled 30-day and 90-day venous thromboembolism incidence rates after benign colorectal resection were 284 (95% CI, 224-360) and 84 (95% CI, 33-218) per 1000 person-years. Stratified by admission type, 30-day venous thromboembolism incidence rates per 1000 person-years were 532 (95% CI, 447-664) for emergency resections and 213 (95% CI, 100-453) for elective colorectal resections. Thirty-day venous thromboembolism incidence rates per 1000 person-years after colectomy were 485 (95% CI, 411-573) for patients with ulcerative colitis, 228 (95% CI, 181-288) for patients with Crohn's disease, and 208 (95% CI, 152-288) for patients with diverticulitis.

LIMITATIONS

High degree of heterogeneity was observed within most meta-analyses attributable to large cohorts minimizing within-study variance.

CONCLUSIONS

Venous thromboembolism rates remain high up to 90 days after colectomy and vary by indication for surgery. Emergency resections compared to elective benign resections have higher rates of postoperative venous thromboembolism. Further studies reporting venous thromboembolism rates by type of benign disease need to stratify rates by admission type to more accurately define venous thromboembolism risk after colectomy.

REGISTRATION NO

CRD42021265438.

Venous thromboembolism following colectomy for diverticular disease: an English population-based cohort study

AIM

This study reports venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates following colectomy for diverticular disease to explore the magnitude of postoperative VTE risk in this population and identify high risk subgroups of interest.

METHOD

English national cohort study of colectomy patients between 2000 and 2019 using linked primary (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) and secondary (Hospital Episode Statistics) care data. Stratified by admission type, absolute incidence rates (IR) per 1000 person-years and adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) were calculated for 30- and 90-day post-colectomy VTE.

RESULTS

Of 24,394 patients who underwent colectomy for diverticular disease, over half (57.39%) were emergency procedures with the highest VTE rate seen in patients ≥70-years-old (IR 142.27 per 1000 person-years, 95%CI 118.32-171.08) at 30 days post colectomy. Emergency resections (IR 135.18 per 1000 person-years, 95%CI 115.72-157.91) had double the risk (aIRR 2.07, 95%CI 1.47-2.90) of developing a VTE at 30 days following colectomy compared to elective resections (IR 51.14 per 1000 person-years, 95%CI 38.30-68.27). Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) was shown to be associated with a 64% reduction in VTE risk (aIRR 0.36 95%CI 0.20-0.65) compared to open colectomies at 30 days post-op. At 90 days following emergency resections, VTE risks remained raised compared to elective colectomies.

CONCLUSION

Following emergency colectomy for diverticular disease, the VTE risk is approximately double compared to elective resections at 30 days while MIS was found to be associated with a reduced risk of VTE. This suggests advancements in postoperative VTE prevention in diverticular disease patients should focus on those undergoing emergency colectomies.

Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism in Colon and Rectal Cancer: Do Tumor Location and Operation Matter?

BACKGROUND

Existing venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk scores help identify patients at increased risk of postoperative VTE who warrant extended prophylaxis in the first 30 days. However, these methods do not address factors unique to colorectal surgery, wherein the tumor location and operation performed vary widely. VTE risk may extend past 30 days. Therefore, we aimed to determine the roles of tumor location and operation in VTE development and evaluate VTE incidence through 90 days postoperatively.

STUDY DESIGN

Adult patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2021, at a single institution were identified. Patients were then stratified by cancer location and by operative extent. VTEs were identified using diagnosis codes in the electronic medical record and consisted of extremity deep venous thromboses, portomesenteric venous thromboses, and pulmonary emboli.

RESULTS

A total of 6,844 operations were identified (72% segmental colectomy, 22% proctectomy, 6% total (procto)colectomy), and tumor location was most commonly in the ascending colon (32%), followed by the rectum (31%), with other locations less common (sigmoid 16%, rectosigmoid junction 9%, transverse colon 7%, descending colon 5%). The cumulative incidence of any VTE was 3.1% at 90 days with a relatively steady increase across the entire 90-day interval. Extremity deep venous thromboses were the most common VTE type, accounting for 37% of events, and pulmonary emboli and portomesenteric venous thromboses made up 33% and 30% of events, respectively. More distal tumor locations and more anatomically extensive operations had higher VTE rates.

CONCLUSIONS

When considering extended VTE prophylaxis after colorectal surgery, clinicians should account for the operation performed and the location of the tumor. Further study is necessary to determine the optimal length of VTE prophylaxis in high-risk individuals.

Cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis: a population-based cohort study from England

BACKGROUND

This population-based cohort study aimed to determine postoperative outcomes after emergency and elective cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

Linked electronic healthcare data from England were used to identify all patients undergoing cholecystectomy between January 2000 and December 2017. Length of stay (LOS), re-admission, case fatality and the odds ratio of 90-day mortality were calculated for patients with and without cirrhosis, adjusting for age, sex and co-morbidity using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the total 69,141 eligible patients who underwent a cholecystectomy, 511 (0.74%) had cirrhosis. In patients without cirrhosis 86.55% underwent a laparoscopic procedure compared with 57.53% in patients with cirrhosis (p < 0.0001). LOS was longer in those with cirrhosis (3 IQR 1-8 vs 1 IQR 1-3 days,p < 0.0001). 90-day re-admission was greater in patients with cirrhosis, 36.79% compared with 14.95% in those without cirrhosis. 90-day case fatality after elective cholecystectomy in patients with and without cirrhosis was 2.79% and 0.43%; and 12.82% and 2.39% following emergency cholecystectomy. This equated to a 3-fold (OR 3.22, IQR 1.72-6.02) and a 4-fold (OR 4.52, IQR 2.46-8.33) increased odds of death at 90-days following elective and emergency cholecystectomy after adjusting for confounders.

CONCLUSION

Patients with cirrhosis undergoing cholecystectomy have an increased 90-day risk of postoperative mortality, which is significantly worse after emergency procedures.

Time trends in the incidence rates of venous thromboembolism following colorectal resection by indication and operative technique

AIM

It is important for patient safety to assess if international changes in perioperative care, such as the focus on venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention and minimally invasive surgery, have reduced the high post colectomy VTE risks previously reported. This study assesses the impact of changes in perioperative care on VTE risk following colorectal resection.

METHOD

This was a population-based cohort study of colectomy patients in England between 2000 and 2019 using a national database of linked primary (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) and secondary (Hospital Episode Statistics) care data. Within 30 days following colectomy, absolute VTE rates per 1000 person-years and adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) using Poisson regression for the per year change in VTE risk were calculated.

RESULTS

Of 183 791 patients, 1337 (0.73%) developed 30-day postoperative VTE. Overall, VTE rates reduced over the 20-year study period following elective (relative risk reduction 31.25%, 95% CI 5.69%-49.88%) but not emergency surgery. Similarly, yearly changes in VTE risk reduced following minimally invasive resections (elective benign, aIRR 0.93, 95% CI 0.90-0.97; elective malignant, aIRR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.98; and emergency benign, aIRR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92-1.00) but not following open resections. There was a per year VTE risk increase following open emergency malignant resections (aIRR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04).

CONCLUSION

Yearly VTE risks reduced following minimally invasive surgeries in the elective setting yet in contrast were static following open elective colectomies, and following emergency malignant resections increased by almost 2% per year. To reduce VTE risk, further efforts are required to implement advances in surgical care for those having emergency and/or open surgery.

The Duration and Magnitude of Postdischarge Venous Thromboembolism Following Colectomy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of current guidelines by reporting weekly postoperative postdischarge venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Disparity exists between the postoperative thromboprophylaxis duration colectomy patients receive based on surgical indication, where malignant resections routinely receive 28 days extended thromboprophylaxis into the postdischarge period and benign resections do not.

METHODS

English national cohort study of colectomy patients between 2010 and 2019 using linked primary (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) and secondary (Hospital Episode Statistics) care data. Stratified by admission type and surgical indication, absolute incidence rates (IRs) per 1000 person-years and adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) for postdischarge VTE were calculated for the first 4 weeks following resection and postdischarge VTE IRs for each postoperative week to 12 weeks postoperative.

RESULTS

Of 104,744 patients, 663 (0.63%) developed postdischarge VTE within 12 weeks after colectomy. Postdischarge VTE IRs per 1000 person-years for the first 4 weeks postoperative were low following elective resections [benign: 20.66, 95% confidence interval (CI): 13.73-31.08; malignant: 28.95, 95% CI: 23.09-36.31] and higher following emergency resections (benign: 47.31, 95% CI: 34.43-65.02; malignant: 107.18, 95% CI: 78.62-146.12). Compared with elective malignant resections, there was no difference in postdischarge VTE risk within 4 weeks following elective benign colectomy (aIRR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.56-1.50). However, postdischarge VTE risks within 4 weeks following emergency resections were significantly greater for benign (aIRR=1.89, 95% CI: 1.22-2.94) and malignant (aIRR=3.13, 95% CI: 2.06-4.76) indications compared with elective malignant colectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Postdischarge VTE risk within 4 weeks of colectomy is ∼2-fold greater following emergency benign compared with elective malignant resections, suggesting emergency benign colectomy patients may benefit from extended VTE prophylaxis.

Mortality following elective and emergency colectomy in patients with cirrhosis: a population-based cohort study from England

BACKGROUND

Patients with cirrhosis undergoing colectomy have a higher risk of postoperative mortality, but contemporary estimates are lacking and data on associated risk and longer term outcomes are limited. This study aimed to quantify the risk of mortality following colectomy by urgency of surgery and stage of cirrhosis.

DATA SOURCES

Linked primary and secondary-care electronic healthcare data from England were used to identify all patients undergoing colectomy from January 2001 to December 2017. These patients were classified by the absence or presence of cirrhosis and severity. Case fatality rates at 90 days and 1 year were calculated, and cox regression was used to estimate the hazard ratio of postoperative mortality controlling for age, gender and co-morbidity.

RESULTS

Of the total, 36,380 patients undergoing colectomy, 248 (0.7%) had liver cirrhosis, and 70% of those had compensated cirrhosis. Following elective colectomy, 90-day case fatality was 4% in those without cirrhosis, 7% in compensated cirrhosis and 10% in decompensated cirrhosis. Following emergency colectomy, 90-day case fatality was higher; it was 16% in those without cirrhosis, 35% in compensated cirrhosis and 41% in decompensated cirrhosis. This corresponded to an adjusted 2.57 fold (95% CI 1.75-3.76) and 3.43 fold (95% CI 2.02-5.83) increased mortality risk in those with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis, respectively. This higher case fatality in patients with cirrhosis persisted at 1 year.

CONCLUSION

Patients with cirrhosis undergoing emergency colectomy have a higher mortality risk than those undergoing elective colectomy both at 90 days and 1 year. The greatest mortality risk at 90 days was in those with decompensation undergoing emergency surgery.

Association Between Operative Approach and Venous Thromboembolism Rate Following Hepatectomy: a Propensity-Matched Analysis

BACKGROUND

The use of minimally invasive approaches to hepatectomy has increased in recent years, but the risk of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) is undefined. We aimed to compare VTE rates after open hepatectomy and minimally invasive hepatectomy using an administrative dataset.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients with primary or metastatic liver tumors were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-targeted hepatectomy database (2016-2018). VTE was compared between patients who underwent open or minimally invasive hepatectomy after a propensity score matching of 1:1 for demographics, comorbidities, and operative factors.

RESULTS

A total of 6935 patients underwent open hepatectomy and 2237 underwent minimally invasive hepatectomy. After matching, there were 1968 patients per group without differences in demographics, comorbidities, or operative variables. Prior to matching, the VTE rate was higher among patients who underwent open hepatectomy (2.8% vs. 1.1%, p < 0.001), and open hepatectomy was independently associated with VTE (OR = 1.90, p = 0.006). The VTE rate remained higher among open hepatectomy compared to minimally invasive hepatectomy after matching (2.4% vs. 1.1%, p = 0.003). Open hepatectomy was associated with a higher VTE rate in patients undergoing minor (1.9 vs. 1.0%, p = 0.028) and major hepatectomy (5.0 vs. 1.9%, p = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

Patients who undergo an open hepatectomy for malignancy have a higher incidence of postoperative VTE compared to minimally invasive hepatectomy for both minor and major hepatectomy.

Risk of Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism After Surgery for Colorectal Malignancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer has the second highest mortality of any malignancy, and venous thromboembolism is a major postoperative complication.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the variation in incidence of venous thromboembolism after colorectal cancer resection.

DATA SOURCES

Following PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines (PROSPERO, ID: CRD42019148828), Medline and Embase databases were searched from database inception to August 2019 including 3 other registered medical databases.

STUDY SELECTION

Two blinded reviewers screened studies with a third reviewer adjudicating any discordance. Eligibility criteria: Patients post colorectal cancer resection aged ≥18 years. Exclusion criteria: Patients undergoing completely endoscopic surgery and those without cancer resection. Selected studies were randomized controlled trials and population-based database/registry cohorts.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Thirty- and 90-day incidence rates of venous thromboembolism per 1000 person-years following colorectal cancer surgery.

RESULTS

Of 6441 studies retrieved, 28 met inclusion criteria. Eighteen were available for meta-analysis reporting on 539,390 patients. Pooled 30- and 90-day incidence rates of venous thromboembolism following resection were 195 (95% CI, 148-256, I2 99.1%) and 91 (95% CI, 56-146, I2 99.2%) per 1000 person-years. When separated by United Nations Geoscheme Areas, differences in the incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism were observed with 30- and 90-day pooled rates per 1000 person-years of 284 (95% CI, 238-339) and 121 (95% CI, 82-179) in the Americas and 71 (95% CI, 60-84) and 57 (95% CI, 47-69) in Europe.

LIMITATIONS

A high degree of heterogeneity was observed within meta-analyses attributable to large cohorts minimizing within-study variance.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of venous thromboembolism following colorectal cancer resection is high and remains so more than 1 month after surgery. There is clear disparity between the incidence of venous thromboembolism after colorectal cancer surgery by global region. More robust population studies are required to further investigate these geographical differences to determine valid regional incidence rates of venous thromboembolism following colorectal cancer resection.

The risk of venous thromboembolism after surgery for esophagogastric malignancy and the impact of chemotherapy: a population-based cohort study

To define the incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) and effects of chemotherapy in a population undergoing surgery for esophagogastric cancer. This population-based cohort study used linked primary (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) and secondary (Hospital Episode Statistics) care data from England to identify subjects undergoing esophageal or gastric cancer surgery between 1997 and 2014. Exposures included age, comorbidity, smoking, body mass index, and chemotherapy. Crude rates and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for rate of first postoperative VTE using Cox regression models. The cumulative incidence of VTE at 1 and 6 months was estimated accounting for the competing risk of death from any cause. Of the 2,452 patients identified, 1,012 underwent gastrectomy (41.3%) and 1,440 esophagectomy (58.7%). Risk of VTE was highest in the first month, with absolute VTE rates of 114 per 1,000 person-years (95% CI 59.32-219.10) following gastrectomy and 172.73 per 1,000 person-years (95% CI 111.44-267.74) following esophagectomy. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a six-fold increased risk of VTE following gastrectomy, HR 6.19 (95% CI 2.49-15.38). Cumulative incidence estimates of VTE at 6 months following gastrectomy in patients receiving no chemotherapy was 1.90% and esophagectomy 2.21%. However, in those receiving both neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy, cumulative incidence following gastrectomy was 10.47% and esophagectomy, 3.9%. VTE rates are especially high in the first month following surgery for esophageal and gastric cancer. The cumulative incidence of VTE at 6 months is highest in patients treated with chemotherapy. In this category of patients, targeted VTE prophylaxis may prove beneficial during chemotherapy treatment.

Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism Following Major Emergency Abdominal Surgery

BACKGROUND

In a retrospective cohort study, we looked at the incidence and risk factors of developing in-hospital venous thromboembolism (VTE) after major emergency abdominal surgery and the risk factors for developing a venous thrombosis.

METHODS

Data were extracted through medical records from all patients undergoing major emergency abdominal surgery at a Danish University Hospital from 2010 until 2016. The primary outcome was the incidence of venous thrombosis developed in the time from surgery until discharge from hospital. The secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality and postoperative complications. Multivariate logistic analyses were used for confounder control.

RESULTS

In total, 1179 patients who underwent major emergency abdominal surgery during 2010-2016 were included. Thirteen patients developed a postoperative venous thromboembolism (1.1%) while hospitalized. Eight patients developed a pulmonary embolism all verified by CT scan and five patients developed a deep venous thrombosis verified by ultrasound scan. Patients diagnosed with a VTE were significantly longer in hospital with a length of stay of 34 versus 14 days, P < 0.001, and they suffered significantly more surgical complications (69.2% vs. 30.4%, P = 0.007). Thirty-day mortality was equal in patients with and without a venous thrombosis. In a multivariate analysis adjusting for gender, ASA group, BMI, type of surgery, dalteparin dose and treatment with anticoagulants, we found that a dalteparin dose ≥5000 IU was associated with the risk of postoperative surgical complications (odds ratio 1.55, 95% CI 1.11-2.16, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

In this study, we found a low incidence of venous thrombosis among patients undergoing major emergency abdominal surgery, comparable to the incidence after elective surgery.

Venous thromboembolism following colorectal resection

AIM

The study investigated the rate of significant venous thromboembolism (VTE) following colorectal resection during the index admission and over 1 year following discharge. It identifies risk factors associated with VTE and considers the length of VTE prophylaxis required.

METHOD

All adult patients who underwent colorectal resections in England between April 2007 and March 2008 were identified using Hospital Episode Statistics data. They were studied during the index admission and followed for a year to identify any patients who were readmitted as an emergency with a diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.

RESULTS

In all, 35 997 patients underwent colorectal resection during the period of study. The VTE rate was 2.3%. Two hundred and one (0.56%) patients developed VTE during the index admission and 571 (1.72%) were readmitted with VTE. Following discharge from the index admission, the risk of VTE in patients with cancer remained elevated for 6 months compared with 2 months in patients with benign disease. Age, postoperative stay, cancer, emergency admission and emergency surgery for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were all independent risk factors associated with an increased risk of VTE. Patients with ischaemic heart disease and those having elective minimal access surgery appear to have lower levels of VTE.

CONCLUSION

This study adds to the benefits of minimal access surgery and demonstrates an additional risk to patients undergoing emergency surgery for IBD. The majority of VTE cases occur following discharge from the index admission. Therefore, surgery for cancer, emergency surgery for IBD and those with an extended hospital stay may benefit from extended VTE prophylaxis. This study demonstrates that a stratified approach may be required to reduce the incidence of VTE.