Incidence of venous thromboembolism in oral and maxillofacial surgery: a retrospective analysis

• Published in: International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 256 - 259
• Main Authors: Forouzanfar, T, Heymans, M.W, van Schuilenburg, A, Zweegman, S, Schulten, E.A.J.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Body Mass Index; Bone Transplantation - statistics & numerical data; Cardiology. Vascular system; Dentistry; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Head and Neck Neoplasms - surgery; Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Incidence; Length of Stay - statistics & numerical data; Male; maxillofacial surgery; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Netherlands - epidemiology; Oral Surgical Procedures - statistics & numerical data; Oral Surgical Procedures, Preprosthetic - statistics & numerical data; Orthognathic Surgical Procedures - statistics & numerical data; Osteogenesis, Distraction - statistics & numerical data; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Pneumology; pulmonary embolism; Pulmonary Embolism - epidemiology; Pulmonary hypertension. Acute cor pulmonale. Pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary vascular diseases; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - statistics & numerical data; retrospective analysis; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Surgery; thromboembolism; Time Factors; Venous Thromboembolism - epidemiology; Venous Thrombosis - epidemiology; Young Adult; Netherlands; retrospective analysis; maxillofacial surgery; thromboembolism; pulmonary embolism; Respiratory disease; Stomatology; Deep vein thrombosis; Cardiovascular disease; Epidemiology; Venous disease; Incidence; Maxillofacial surgery; Vascular disease; Pulmonary embolism; Oral cavity; Venous thrombosis; Thromboembolism
• ISSN: 0901-5027; 1399-0020
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2009.10.024

Abstract This study retrospectively investigates the incidence and risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery. Data were obtained from patients treated between January 2005 and June 2006. Patients’ records were reviewed for complaints and information relating to deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). All patients completed a questionnaire on complaints relating to DVT and PE. The patients were classified according to risk and the incidence of reported DVT and PE was calculated. The study population comprised 411 patients with a mean age of 32 (± 17) years. The median postoperative follow-up period was 53 (23–639) days. None of the patients received thromboembolism prophylaxis. The incidence of VTE in the study group was 0.5%. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a relationship between body mass index and hospital stay with thromboembolism (p < 0.05). Patients undergoing pre-implant surgery with bone graft proved to be at risk (p = 0.07). The incidence of VTE in oral and maxillofacial surgery seems to be low, but thromboembolism prophylaxis may be justified in patients with clear potential risk factors.