title: Rivaroxaban for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Abdominoplasty: A Multicenter Experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abdominoplasty, a commonly performed aesthetic procedure, is considered to have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) events. At present, routine VTE chemoprophylaxis following abdominoplasty remains controversial.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates the authors' experience with rivaroxaban, an oral Factor Xa inhibitor, for VTE prophylaxis in abdominoplasty patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective case series was conducted. All patients who underwent abdominoplasty and received rivaroxaban were included. The prophylactic dose was 10 mg daily for 7 days, beginning 12 hours postoperatively. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and type of surgery were recorded. The primary outcome measured was hematologic complication, including VTE, hematoma requiring operative evacuation, and need for blood transfusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From September 2012 until July 2014, 132 patients (122 women and 10 men) underwent abdominoplasty surgery and received rivaroxaban postoperatively. Mean patient age was 43.7 years, and mean body mass index was 27.1. One hundred twenty-five patients also underwent abdominal muscle plication. Eleven patients underwent a fleur de lis vertical skin resection component. One hundred patients underwent concomitant abdominal liposuction, while 79 patients also had back liposuction. Only 1 patient had a symptomatic VTE event. Three patients had a hematoma requiring operative evacuation, and all went on to heal without sequelae. Two patients received a blood transfusion for anemia during their course of rivaroxaban.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral rivaroxaban administration for chemoprophylaxis in abdominoplasty patients is safe, with low rates of symptomatic VTE and hematoma formation. The authors continue routine use of the medication for patients at increased risk for VTE events. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4: Risk.
authors.affiliation: Dr Hunstad is a Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr Kortesis and Dr Augenstein are plastic surgeons in private practice in Huntersville, North Carolina. Dr Krochmal and Dr Flugstad are fellows in private practice in Huntersville, North Carolina. Dr Culbertson is a plastic surgeon in private practice in Sumter, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hunstad
authors.affiliation: Dr Hunstad is a Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr Kortesis and Dr Augenstein are plastic surgeons in private practice in Huntersville, North Carolina. Dr Krochmal and Dr Flugstad are fellows in private practice in Huntersville, North Carolina. Dr Culbertson is a plastic surgeon in private practice in Sumter, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Krochmal
authors.affiliation: Dr Hunstad is a Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr Kortesis and Dr Augenstein are plastic surgeons in private practice in Huntersville, North Carolina. Dr Krochmal and Dr Flugstad are fellows in private practice in Huntersville, North Carolina. Dr Culbertson is a plastic surgeon in private practice in Sumter, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Flugstad
authors.affiliation: Dr Hunstad is a Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr Kortesis and Dr Augenstein are plastic surgeons in private practice in Huntersville, North Carolina. Dr Krochmal and Dr Flugstad are fellows in private practice in Huntersville, North Carolina. Dr Culbertson is a plastic surgeon in private practice in Sumter, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Bill G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Kortesis
authors.affiliation: Dr Hunstad is a Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr Kortesis and Dr Augenstein are plastic surgeons in private practice in Huntersville, North Carolina. Dr Krochmal and Dr Flugstad are fellows in private practice in Huntersville, North Carolina. Dr Culbertson is a plastic surgeon in private practice in Sumter, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Adam C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Augenstein
authors.affiliation: Dr Hunstad is a Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr Kortesis and Dr Augenstein are plastic surgeons in private practice in Huntersville, North Carolina. Dr Krochmal and Dr Flugstad are fellows in private practice in Huntersville, North Carolina. Dr Culbertson is a plastic surgeon in private practice in Sumter, South Carolina.
authors.forename: Gary R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Culbertson
mesh_terms: D061645:Abdominoplasty; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000069552:Rivaroxaban / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D000069552:Rivaroxaban