A Nationwide Analysis of Postoperative Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in Colon and Rectal Surgery

There are limited data regarding predictive factors of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing colorectal resection. We sought to identify associations between patient comorbidities and postoperative VTE in colorectal resection. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was used to examine clinical data of patients experiencing postoperative VTE after colorectal resection from 2005 to 2011. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was performed to quantify risk factors of VTE. We sampled 116,029 patients undergoing colorectal resection. The rate of VTE was 2 % (2,278) with 0.2 % (182) having deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). The first week after operation was the most common time for postoperative VTE. A significant number of patients suffering DVT and PE were diagnosed after index hospital discharge (PE 34.6 %, DVT 29.3 %). The most important risk factors identified for DVT include (P < 0.05) ASA score >2 (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.77) and hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin level <3.5 mg/dl) (AOR 1.69). The most important factors had associations with PE include (P < 0.05) DVT (AOR 14.60) and disseminated cancer (AOR 1.70). Ulcerative colitis (AOR 1.48, P = 0.01) and stage 4 cancer (AOR 1.29, P = 0.02) have associations with DVT. Open colorectal procedures have higher risk of DVT compared to laparoscopic procedures (AOR 1.33, P < 0.01). Postoperative VTE occurs in 2 % of colorectal resections. Thirty percent of VTE events were diagnosed after discharge. Prophylactic treatment of VTE after discharge may have benefits in high-risk patients. Thirteen and eleven perioperative risk factors have associations with DVT and PE, respectively. Emergent admission, open procedures, ulcerative colitis, and stage 4 cancer patients have increased risk of DVT.