title: Prevention of thromboembolism after neurosurgery for brain and spinal tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after surgery for primary and metastatic brain tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a confidential survey of American neurosurgeons interested in tumor surgery to assess DVT risk awareness and thromboprophylaxis patterns.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 172 respondents, 108 (63%) underestimated the DVT risk after brain tumor surgery. After operating on patients who had brain or spinal tumors, 81.4 and 78.5% of respondents, respectively, reported using DVT prophylaxis. After performing brain tumor surgery, 76.2% of respondents reported using solely mechanical methods of prophylaxis "always" or "most of the time."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  American neurosurgeons tend to underestimate the risk of DVT associated with brain tumor surgery and to use mechanical thromboprophylaxis despite the availability of effective pharmacologic antithrombotics. A better appreciation of the risk of thrombosis, combined with clinical studies to address safety, may enhance the use of prophylaxis and the perceived safety of antithrombotics in this setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Section of Vascular Medicine, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Teresa L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Carman
authors.forename: Andrew A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kanner
authors.forename: Gene H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Deitcher
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012307:Risk Factors; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants