Thromboembolic prophylaxis in plastic surgery a 12-year follow up in the UK.

Potentially fatal thromboembolic events prevail post-operatively despite the widespread availability of proven methods of prophylaxis. In 1992 Dujon et al published an article which reviewed thromboembolic prophylaxis methods of Consultant Plastic Surgeons in the UK and Ireland. Our follow up study surveyed all current Consultant B.A.P.S members using a modified postal questionnaire to assess practice nationwide. Our conclusions were drawn from comparisons made between the two populations some twelve years apart. Our results show a dramatic change from the previous findings. Since 1992 86% of respondents have developed a set prophylaxis protocol (compared to 19%). The use of low molecular weight heparin has drastically increased by 24% to 76%, the use of flow-tron boots (or similar) has increased by 22% to 68%, the use of TED stockings has increased by 12% to 83%, the use of multi-modality prophylaxis has increased by 27% to 79% Our results demonstrate a definite shift towards multi-modal thromboembolic prophylaxis, possibly due to increased awareness of available technologies and subsequent reduction in costs.