A retrospective study on the use of a low-molecular-weight heparin for thromboembolism prophylaxis in large-volume liposuction and body contouring procedures

• Published in: Aesthetic plastic surgery 2006-01, Vol.30 (1), p.86-95
• Main Authors: Newall, Germán, Ruiz-Razura, Amado, Mentz, Henry A, Patronella, Christopher K, Ibarra, Francis R, Zarak, Alberto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Blood clots; Body Image; Enoxaparin - administration & dosage; Enoxaparin - therapeutic use; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents - administration & dosage; Fibrinolytic Agents - therapeutic use; Follow-Up Studies; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight - administration & dosage; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight - therapeutic use; Humans; Lipectomy; Medical treatment; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications - prevention & control; Retrospective Studies; Thromboembolism - etiology; Thromboembolism - prevention & control; Venous Thrombosis - etiology; Venous Thrombosis - prevention & control
• ISSN: 0364-216X; 1432-5241
• DOI: 10.1007/s00266-005-0115-z

This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of low-molecular-weight heparin (enoxeparin) as a prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the management of large-volume liposuction, added body-contouring procedures, or both. The author present an 18-month experience with the use of this therapy for 291 consecutive patients. All the patients fell into the categories of high risk and highest risk for the development of deep vein thrombosis, embolism, or both. Three patients experienced transient DVT-like symptoms and underwent a thorough workup by an independent highly specialized critical care medical team. The results were found ultimately to be inconclusive for DVT and pulmonary embolism. However, all the patients experienced a complete recovery. The results show a 0% incidence of DVT and pulmonary embolism among patients who received enoxeparin as prophylaxis. The medication did not precipitate major bleeding when administered 1 h after surgery. This study offers the first report that describes the use of enoxeparin in aesthetic surgery for high-risk patients. The authors feel the need to inform their colleagues of the benefits obtained over the past 18 months by incorporating this therapy in large-volume liposuction and extensive body-contouring procedures performed during the same operative session. This study was conducted by a highly experienced surgical team in a fully accredited outpatient facility with established protocols for handling these types of procedures on a daily basis. The authors are optimistic about the results, and the use of enoxeparin is now part of their postoperative regimen in high-risk aesthetic surgery cases.