title: Venous thromboembolic disease prophylaxis among general surgeons in Malaysia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyse the current practice of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis among general surgeons in Malaysia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire survey was conducted among general surgeons attending the annual Malaysian College of Surgeons meeting in 2002. A total of 110 questionnaires were distributed to specialist-grade general surgeons with varying subspecialty interests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-seven (70%) surgeons returned the questionnaire. Of these, 43% were of the opinion that VTE was as common in Asian patients as in the West. Selective VTE prophylaxis was used by 99% in their practice. The indications for use, in order of frequency, were: previous VTE disease, risk grading, prolonged surgery, obesity, malignancy and age. Low molecular weight heparin was the most common type of prophylaxis used. VTE-related morbidity was reported by 44 surgeons (57%) over the past year, and 39% of these cases were fatal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high incidence of VTE-related complications indicates that the use of thromboprophylaxis is either insufficient or not matched to the level of risk. Updated guidelines on VTE prophylaxis should be used so that a standardized approach can ensure that patients receive adequate prophylaxis where indicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, University Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Subhita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prasannan
authors.forename: Liew Ngoh
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Yunus A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Gul
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001458:Bandages; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants