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Venous Thromboembolic Events Following Major Pelvic and Abdominal Surgeries for Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study

  • Gastrointestinal Oncology
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for post-hospital discharge venous thromboembolism (VTE) following abdominal cancer surgery without post-discharge prophylaxis.

Methods

This was a single-center, prospective cohort study. Patients were evaluated at 1, 3, and 6 months from surgery for the presence of proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT; screening ultrasound at 1 month and questionnaire at each visit). Cumulative VTE incidence with 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated using Kaplan–Meier methods, and multivariable analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

Of 284 patients enrolled, 79 (28%) underwent colorectal laparotomy, 97 (34%) underwent hepatobiliary laparotomy, 100 (35%) underwent gynecological laparotomy, and 8 (3%) underwent exploratory laparotomy without resection. All patients received pre- and postoperative inpatient prophylaxis. The cumulative incidence of VTE at 1 month was 0.35% (95% CI 0.05–2.48), 2.5% at 3 months (95% CI 1.19–5.15), and 7.2% at 6 months (95% CI 4.72–10.97). Screening ultrasound performed 4 weeks after surgery in 50% of patients was negative for thrombosis in all cases. Event distribution was similar according to the type of surgery (open/laparoscopic) and type of cancer. Seventeen (6.6%) patients died (95% CI 3.5–9.4) (two had a VTE-related death). Postoperative chemotherapy and Caprini score were significantly associated with VTE [hazard ratios 3.77 (95% CI 1.56–9.12) and 1.17 (95% CI 1.02–1.34), respectively].

Conclusion

The incidence of post-hospital discharge proximal DVT and/or symptomatic VTE following abdominal and pelvic cancer surgery appears to be low. The cumulative number of events increased at 6 months, but this was likely due to additional risk factors that were not related to surgery. Postoperative chemotherapy increases the risk of VTE.

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Acknowledgment

This study was supported in part by a grant from the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre Foundation and McMaster Surgical Associates. The funding covered data management and study coordination. The granting agency had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication. Approval of the manuscript and the decision to submit the manuscript for publication were made by the steering committee. All authors have provided written permission. Pablo E. Serrano had full access to all the data in the study and takes full responsibility for the integrity of the data and accuracy of the data analysis. Pablo E. Serrano and Sameer Parpia conducted, and are responsible for, the data analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Juravinski Hospital, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Pablo E. Serrano, Marko Simunovic, Leyo Ruo & Mohit Bhandari

  2. Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Pablo E. Serrano, Marko Simunovic, Leyo Ruo & Mark Levine

  3. Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Sameer Parpia, Laurie Elit & Mark Levine

  4. Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Sameer Parpia, Laurie Elit, Marko Simunovic & Mohit Bhandari

  5. Division of Hematology and Thromboembolism, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Lori-Ann Linkins

  6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Laurie Elit

Authors
  1. Pablo E. Serrano
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  2. Sameer Parpia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pablo E. Serrano.

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Conflict of interest

Pablo E. Serrano, Sameer Parpia, Lori-Ann Linkins, Laurie Elit, Marko Simunovic, Leyo Ruo, Mohit Bhandari, and Mark Levine report no conflicts of interest.

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Serrano, P.E., Parpia, S., Linkins, LA. et al. Venous Thromboembolic Events Following Major Pelvic and Abdominal Surgeries for Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study. Ann Surg Oncol 25, 3214–3221 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-018-6671-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-018-6671-7

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