Thromboprophylaxis in general surgery (with a Synopsis of Venous Thromboembolism)

Abstract

Venous thromboprophylaxis aims at reducing avoidable morbidity, death and chronic ill health from hospital associated venous thromboembolism (VTE). Reports indicate little awareness of VTE and inadequate provision of primary thromboprophylaxis on surgical patients managed in most hospitals in Africa. Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) regarding VTE risk assessment, risk categorization and preventive methods using mechanical means and pharmacological agents for the patients at risk are virtually non-existent in most of our health institutions. Compliance with such guidelines where available is poor due to lack of enforcement.
This article is an overview of VTE and the provision of thromboprophylaxis for hospitalized general surgery patients.It is strongly recommended that a hospital-based thromboprophylaxis guideline be formulated and enforced at each surgical service in our health community in order to optimise patients outcome .