TITLE:
Role of Early Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Prophylaxis in the Surgical Treatment of Degenerative Spinal Diseases in the Elderly Patients
AUTHORS:
Carlo Doria, Gianfilippo Caggiari, Giulia Raffaella Mosele, Leonardo Puddu, Paolo Tranquilli Leali
KEYWORDS:
Spine Surgery, Heparin, Venous Thromboembolism, Prophylaxis
JOURNAL NAME:
Surgical Science,
Vol.7 No.9,
September
1,
2016
ABSTRACT: Study Design: Retrospective review. Summary of
Background Data: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are
potential complications following major orthopaedic surgical procedures. Venous
thromboembolism (VTE) is the disease process underlying DVT and PE.
Pharmacological options can be use low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH).
Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the hemorrhage risk when
LMWH is started after 24 hours from surgery and to assess venous
thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism risk in patients undergoing early
prophylaxis after spine surgery. Methods: A consecutive cohort of 100 patients
undergoing spinal surgery. Diagnosis was multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis in
46 cases and, degenerative thoracolumbar kypho-scoliosis in 54 cases. Starting
on the first postoperative day, patients were routinely administered daily
prophylactic enoxaparin at 8 pm (40 mg). Analysis was performed to identify
risk factors of VTE among five independent variables (age, sex, obesity defined
as body mass index > 30 kg/m2, smoking, duration of surgery),
with statistical significance defined as P P