Risk factors and prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis in neurosurgery.

Acceptance is increasing for pharmacological prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) for most types of surgery, but its use remains controversial in neurosurgical patients because of the threat of catastrophic hemorrhage. Consequently, mechanical measures such as sequential calf compression and graduated compression stockings are currently the preferred prophylaxis for neurosurgical patients. However, some patients remain at high risk despite these measures and may require prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparins or unfractionated heparin. In neurosurgical patients, known risk factors for DVT or PE include advanced age, malignancy, limb weakness, prolonged surgery, and cranial as opposed to spinal surgery. Using comprehensive neurosurgery databases, the authors identify more specific neurosurgical diagnoses and procedures as risk factors for DVT and PE, and show increases in the frequency of DVT and PE for the wider neurosurgery population and for glioma patients over time. DVT prophylaxis is compared in public and private hospital settings. This chapter contributes to the changing picture of DVT and PE in neurosurgical patients over the last two decades.