title: Thromboembolic prophylaxis in plastic surgery: an appraisal.
abstract: A survey by questionnaire was conducted amongst consultant plastic surgeons in the UK: 54 replies were received (44% response rate). Three consultants (5.5%) never used any form of DVT prophylaxis. The other 51 (94%) used some form of prophylaxis in at-risk patients. The methods used were found to be diverse. Ten respondents belonged to units with fixed policies for prophylaxis. A controlled trial is suggested to provide statistical evidence of the need for thromboembolic prophylaxis among plastic surgical patients. We believe there is a need for units to develop fixed protocols for the prevention of thromboembolism in at-risk patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Kingston General Hospital, Hull.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Dujon
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Chatzis
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001458:Bandages; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013518:Surgery, Plastic; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin