Survey of current status of prevention of venous thromboembolism after thoracic surgery in China / 中华外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To investigate the current status of prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after thoracic surgery in China.@*Method@#Chinese thoracic surgeons were investigated by the online questionnaire which was based on the Chinese version of International VTE questionnaire added with 6 extra questions with Chinese characteristics.@*Results@#A total of 1 150 valid questionnaires were retrieved, accounting for about 20% of all the Chinese thoracic surgeons. The surgeons participating in this survey came from all over the country, most of whom were experienced professionals with high academic titles.For lung cancer patients, 66.96% (770/1 150) of the surgeons suggested that VTE prophylaxis should start 1 day after lung cancer resection, and 64.61% (743/1 150) of the surgeons suggested extending after discharge. For esophagestomy patients, and 48.35% (514/1 063) of the surgeons suggested that there was no need for patients to extend VTE prophylaxis after discharge. More than half of the surgeons participating in this survey made decision of the method and duration of VTE prophylaxis after lung cancer resection (53.91% (620/1 150)) or esophagectomy (52.49% (558/1 063)) depending on the clinical experience.Low molecular weight heparin was the common choice of most surgeons in VTE prophylaxis. More than half of the surgeons thought that previous history of VTE, advanced age, complicated with thrombophilia, obesity (body mass index>30 kg/m2), duration of surgery longer than 6 hours and family history of VTE were key risk factors of the occurrence of postoperative VTE.@*Conclusions@#The results of this survey are highly credible and are a good reflection of the current status of VTE prevention and treatment after thoracic surgery in China. This survey will play an important role in promoting VTE prevention and treatment in Chinese thoracic surgery department, it will also provide data support for government setting new policies, hospital construction of VTE prevention and control as well as raising physicians′ awareness.