title: Current practices in venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.
abstract: There has been recent investigation into the incidence of venous thromboembolism in otolaryngology, but the current utilization of venous thromboembolic (VTE) prophylaxis among practicing otolaryngologists remains largely unknown.
  
  
  
  A survey of 26 questions was emailed to 4376 otolaryngologists.
  
  
  
  A total of 4376 surveys were sent and 676 were returned for a response rate of 15.4%. Intraoperative prophylaxis was used by 535 respondents (83%), either with intermittent pneumatic compression (91.8%), compression stockings (35.9%), or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH; 12.3%). Postoperative prophylaxis was used by 540 respondents (85.4%), either with early ambulation (87.8%), intermittent pneumatic compression (85.4%), compression stockings (43.3%), or LMWH (42.4%). The vast majority (88.3%) stated they would find thromboprophylaxis guidelines released by the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery to be helpful.
  
  
  
  Current practices in venous thromboembolism prophylaxis vary widely among the otolaryngology community. A set of clear specialty-specific guidelines may be helpful. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E341-E345, 2016.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Frank G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Garritano
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Genevieve A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D048228:Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000639:trends*; D053828:Stockings, Compression; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
keywords: deep venous thrombosis; head and neck oncology; head and neck surgery; pulmonary embolism; venous thromboembolism