“Forty-eight percent of VTEs after ventral hernia repair occur after discharge, particularly in older, male, obese patients undergoing longer and complex operations that require hospitalization > 1 day. Post-discharge thromboprophylaxis should be considered in these patients, particularly when risk of VTE exceeds 0.3%.”

“Venous thromboembolism (VTE), defined as a deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, or both, remains a major source of morbidity and mortality after abdominal surgery. Hernia patients are no exception. Because one-third of all VTEs occur after surgery and effective risk-reduction strategies exist, thromboprophylaxis strategies should be considered after every surgical procedure. Current CHEST guidelines recommend either mechanical thromboprophylaxis (such as sequential compression devices), chemothromboprophylaxis (i.e., unfractionated heparin, low-molecular weight heparin, or other agents); or both—depending on the degree of thrombotic risk and the overall risk of bleeding.”

Kumar SB, et al Extended-duration thromboprophylaxis after ventral hernia repair: a risk model to predict venous thrombotic events after hospital discharge. Hernia. 2022 Jun;26(3):919-926. Free Full Text