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Cancer research

Adherence to Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis Crucial in Colorectal Surgery

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research conducted at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has revealed the significance of adherence to venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. The study, published in the Asian Journal of Surgery, found that patients with interruptions in their VTE prophylaxis regimen had a higher VTE rate, although this did not reach statistical significance. Furthermore, patients with VTE prophylaxis medication switches had a significantly higher rate of VTE, and positive urine cultures during surgery increased the risk of VTE. The study highlights the impact of VTE prophylaxis adherence on postoperative VTE rates and emphasizes the need for further research to investigate reasons for prophylaxis switches.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 388 patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery between 2013 and 2020, with a mean age of 58.27 ± 13.59 and 55.9% males.
  • The overall rate of VTE following surgery was 5.4%, and patients with interruptions in their VTE prophylaxis regimen showed higher VTE rates than those without interruptions, but this did not reach statistical significance (OR = 4.002, 95 %CI = 0.527-33.535, p = 0.176).
  • Patients with VTE prophylaxis medication switches had a significantly higher rate of VTE than those without switches (OR = 5.007, 95 %CI = 1.946-12.881, p = 0.001).
  • Positive urine cultures during 30 days of surgery increased the risk of VTE significantly (OR = 2.863, 95 %CI = 1.093-7.504, p = 0.032).
  • Patients with VTE also had higher 30-day mortality rates (p = 0.008).
  • The study highlights the impact of VTE prophylaxis adherence on postoperative VTE rates and emphasizes the need for further research to investigate reasons for prophylaxis switches.

Statistics:

  • Total number of patients included in the study: 388
  • Mean age: 58.27 ± 13.59
  • Male patients: 55.9%
  • Overall rate of VTE following surgery: 5.4%
  • Odds ratio (OR) for interruptions in VTE prophylaxis regimen: 4.002 (95 %CI = 0.527-33.535)
  • Odds ratio (OR) for VTE prophylaxis medication switches: 5.007 (95 %CI = 1.946-12.881)
  • Odds ratio (OR) for positive urine cultures during 30 days of surgery: 2.863 (95 %CI = 1.093-7.504)
  • 30-day mortality rate for patients with VTE: 0.008

Sources:

  • NewsRx. King Abdulaziz University Researchers Detail Findings in Venous Thromboembolism [Effect of adherence to prophylaxis on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following colorectal cancer surgery: A retrospective record review]. Cancer Weekly. June 17, 2025; p 449.
  • Asian Journal of Surgery. Effect of adherence to prophylaxis on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following colorectal cancer surgery: A retrospective record review. 2025, 48(6):3514-3521. (Asian Journal of Surgery - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/asian-journal-of-surgery/).
  • King Abdulaziz University. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine.

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