Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T14:53:16.772Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in ENT surgery: a survey of current practice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2015

R Nash*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT Surgery, Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, London, UK
N Randhawa
Affiliation:
Department of Anaesthetics, Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, London, UK
S R Saeed
Affiliation:
Department of ENT Surgery, Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, London, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr R Nash, Department of ENT Surgery, Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, London WC1X 8DA, UK E-mail: mr.robert.nash@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:

Venous thromboembolism is uncommon in ENT practice. There are no specific venous thromboembolism prophylaxis guidelines for ENT surgery, despite the bleeding risks associated with ENT surgery and the low incidence of venous thromboembolism.

Methods:

An online poll of the ENT UK expert panel was conducted on the use of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis.

Results:

A total of 132 responses were received. Of the respondents, 84.5 per cent routinely assess all of their patients for venous thromboembolism risk. In addition, 75.4 per cent use local health trust guidelines, with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence being the most common source of national guidelines. There was significant heterogeneity in the use of low molecular weight heparin. Only 53.7 per cent of respondents felt that the guidelines they currently used reflect their practice.

Conclusion:

There is significant heterogeneity in venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. There is therefore scope for revision of the ENT UK venous thromboembolism prophylaxis guidelines to reflect general ENT practice.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Innis, WP, Anderson, TD. Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in otolaryngologic patients. Am J Otolaryngol 2009;30:230–3Google Scholar
2Thai, L, McCarn, K, Stott, W, Watts, T, Wax, MK, Andersen, PE et al. Venous thromboembolism in patients with head and neck cancer after surgery. Head Neck 2013;35:49Google Scholar
3Shuman, AG, Hu, HM, Pannucci, CJ, Jackson, CR, Bradford, CR, Bahl, V. Stratifying the risk of venous thromboembolism in otolaryngology. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2012;146:719–24Google Scholar
4Garritano, FG, Lehman, EB, Andrews, GA. Incidence of venous thromboembolism in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2013;139:21–7Google Scholar
5Moreano, EH, Hutchinson, JL, McCulloch, TM, Graham, SM, Funk, GF, Hoffman, HT. Incidence of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;118:777–84Google Scholar
6Lee, J, Alexander, A, Higgins, K, Geerts, W. The Sunnybrook experience: review of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in otolaryngology. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2008;37:547–51Google Scholar
7Ah-See, KW, Kerr, J, Sim, DW. Prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in head and neck surgery: the practice of otolaryngologists. J Laryngol Otol 1997;111:845–9Google Scholar
8Centre for Clinical Practice at NICE, 2010. Venous Thromboembolism: Reducing the Risk. In: http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG92 [3 February 2013]Google Scholar
9ENT UK, 2010. Guidelines on Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Prophylaxis. In: https://www.entuk.org/sites/default/files/files/prophylaxis_guideline_2010.pdf [3 February 2013]Google Scholar