[Is reliable prophylaxis of postoperative venous thromboembolic complications possible?]

Thrombosis of deep veins of lower extremities and pelvis is found in every third operated patient on the average, pulmonary embolism--in 0.5-0.8% cases. The results of nonspecific and specific prophylaxis of these complications are reviewed in the article. Intermittent pneumatic compression, compressive elastic stockings and standard or low-molecular heparin administration are most effective. Prophylactic measures do not exclude completely possibility of venous thromboembolic complications, but permit to control reliably this danger. The author has an experience of cavafilter implantation in 147 patients.