[Prevention of postoperative venous thromboembolic complications]

Venous thromboembolic complications (VTEC) occurring during the postoperative period notably increase the mortality. Prevention of this complications requires detection of risk factors in order to evaluate the risk for every patient. Based on the risk factors described in this paper, all patients can be divided into categories at a high, moderate, and low risk of complications. Preventive measures corresponding to the risk are to be taken. These measures are to include measures improving venous flow and anticoagulant therapy (low-molecular heparins should be preferred). Though these measures do not 100% prevent thromboembolic complications, they notably decrease the risk of VTEC.