Principles of thromboprophylaxis in surgical patients

Thromboprophylactic treatment during surgery reduces mortality and morbidity. The type of prophylaxis may be individualized according to type of operation and presence of major risk factors, such as prior thromboembolism, malignancy, long duration of immobilization, and medical conditions. All patients over the age of 40, or even younger, who have major risk factors, and whose operations will last for more than 1 hour, may benefit from thromboprophylaxis. Available prophylactic methods allow for treatment with an acceptably low level of side effects and economic cost, when compared with the cost of diagnostics and treatment of thromboembolism.