Thromboembolic risk factors in patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery for malignancies

Venous thromboembolism is a common complication in patients undergoing major surgery. We studied blood coagulation profiles in 16 patients undergoing extensive maxillofacial surgery for oral malignant diseases. Activity of coagulation factor V and levels of antithrombin III were significantly reduced on the first postoperative day. Fibrinogen level showed a continuous increase throughout the observation period. However, no thromboembolic events were observed. It can be concluded that despite a severe alteration of the blood clotting system, maxillofacial surgery does not seem to be associated with postoperative thromboembolism.