Efficacy of Prophylactic Measures in Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Bariatric Patients

Abstract

Obesity is a world wide health problem and Bariatric surgery has demonstrated to be the most effective and sustainable method for the regulation of morbid obesity, superior to both pharmaceuticals and combinations of diet and lifestyle regimens. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is Purely restrictive procedure that does not involve alterations in the small bowel anatomy and are therefore rarely associated with metabolic complications. DVT is a very serious post Lap Bariatric Surgery complication that may affect the patient morbidity and mortality. In Bariatric surgery, reverse Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum are associated with venous stasis of lower extremity and impaired venous return due to the compression of iliac veins and inferior vena cava may increase the risk of DVT. There are many mechanical and chemical prophylactic measures can be used pre and post bariatric surgery however, there is insufficient evidence to make a specific recommendation regarding VTE prophylaxis after bariatric surgery and that a sufficiently powered trial to answer this question is impractical.