title: Intermittent pneumatic compression for prevention of pulmonary thromboembolism after gynecologic surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To investigate the incidence of pulmonary embolism and risk factors for this condition after obstetric and gynecologic surgery, as well as the efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 6,218 patients operated at Keio University Hospital excluding obstetric or infertility-related surgery and uterine cervical conization were evaluated retrospectively to determine the preventive effect of intermittent pneumatic compression on postoperative pulmonary embolism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pulmonary embolism occurred in 42 patients (0.68%). Multivariate analysis showed that malignancy, blood transfusion, and a body mass index > or =25 kg/m2 or > or =28 kg/m2 were independent risk factors for postoperative pulmonary embolism. A significantly lower incidence of pulmonary embolism occurred in patients receiving pneumatic compression postoperatively versus those without it. Among gynecologic malignancies, endometrial cancer was a significant risk factor for pulmonary embolism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preventive measures, including intermittent pneumatic compression, should be taken to avoid postoperative pulmonary thromboembolism in the gynecology field.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki-City, Kanagawa 216-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Nao
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Fumio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kataoka
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Higashiguchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirao
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Sachiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ezawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nomura
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Akiyo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tomita
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Susumu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aoki