title: Importance of Postoperative Hydration and Lower Extremity Elevation in Preventing Deep Venous Thrombosis in Full Abdominoplasty: A Report on 450 Consecutive Cases Over a 37-Year Period.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abdominoplasty is a common plastic surgery procedure and has a higher rate of postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) than any other such surgery. DVT prevention remains an important topic in the plastic surgery community. Many surgeons avoid DVT chemoprophylaxis, because they are concerned about the risk of postoperative bleeding.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed in order to evaluate postoperative hydration and lower extremity elevation as two alternative methods of aiding DVT prevention after abdominoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative measures were taken to monitor patient hydration via urine output and to ensure adequate hydration by providing intravenous fluids. In addition, measures were taken throughout these three phases to ensure adequate lower extremity elevation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a group of 450 consecutive full abdominoplasties from 1976 to 2013, the overall rate of patient DVT at 30 days following surgery was 0.22%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hydration and lower extremity elevation are innocuous and risk-free adjuncts that improve venous return from the legs and lessen the chance of postoperative DVT.
authors.affiliation: Dr Keiter is a plastic surgeon in private practice in Murray, UT. Dr Johns is a Resident and Dr Rockwell is a Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT.
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Keiter
authors.affiliation: Dr Keiter is a plastic surgeon in private practice in Murray, UT. Dr Johns is a Resident and Dr Rockwell is a Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Johns
authors.affiliation: Dr Keiter is a plastic surgeon in private practice in Murray, UT. Dr Johns is a Resident and Dr Rockwell is a Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT.
authors.forename: W Bradford
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Rockwell
mesh_terms: D061645:Abdominoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008875:Middle Aged; D056888:Patient Positioning; D019990:Perioperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*