Standard Dose Prophylaxis Application and Venous Thromboembolism Findings in Patients Who Had Bariatric Surgery

Aim: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) events covering deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary
embolism (PE) constitute the most important morbidity-mortality cause in obesity surgery. The objective
of this study was to assessment of thromboembolism results in patients who underwent bariatric surgery
with standard dose prophylaxis.
Patients and Methods: The patients who were operated for morbid obesity in our clinic between 2015 and
2019 were retrospectively examined. Cases that had laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and were applied
standard dose Enoxaparin prophylaxis were included in the study. Demographic data, preoperative
preparation and postoperative antiembolic treatment conditions of the patients were registered.
Results: Eighty-seven patients who had laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were included in the study. 66
(%75,8) of the patients were female and 21 (%24,1) were male. The mean age was 38.7 (18-55). Mean
hospitalization duration was 6.6 (3-69) days. Four patients (% 4,5) had postoperative complication. PE
developed in two patients while leak-related mediastinitis and incisional hernia (%1,1) developed in one
case each.
Conclusion: Despite available prophylaxis methods, VTE constitutes an important morbidity and mortality
cause in patients who had bariatric surgery. While high-dose low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) use
may cause bleeding, the possibility of VTE increases with using low-dose LMWH. This situation appears
as a limitation of LMWHs. New studies are needed for increased dose at early period and standard dose
application after discharge.