Original clinical investigation

Intermittent pneumatic compression for prevention of pulmonary thromboembolism after gynecologic surgery

Nao Suzuki^{* 1} , Fumio Kataoka² , Atsushi Higashiguchi² , Takeshi Hirao² , Sachiko Ezawa² , Hiroyuki Nomura² , Akiyo Tomita² , Nobuyuki Susumu² and Daisuke Aoki²

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki-City, Kanagawa 216-8511, Japan

²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

Thrombosis Journal 2005, 3:18doi:10.1186/1477-9560-3-18

Published:	19 November 2005

Abstract

Background

To investigate the incidence of pulmonary embolism and risk factors for this condition after obstetric and gynecologic surgery, as well as the efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression.

Methods

A total of 6,218 patients operated at Keio University Hospital excluding obstetric or infertility-related surgery and uterine cervical conization were evaluated retrospectively to determine the preventive effect of intermittent pneumatic compression on postoperative pulmonary embolism.

Results

Pulmonary embolism occurred in 42 patients (0.68%). Multivariate analysis showed that malignancy, blood transfusion, and a body mass index ≥25 kg/m² or ≥28 kg/m² were independent risk factors for postoperative pulmonary embolism. A significantly lower incidence of pulmonary embolism occurred in patients receiving pneumatic compression postoperatively versus those without it. Among gynecologic malignancies, endometrial cancer was a significant risk factor for pulmonary embolism.

Conclusion

Preventive measures, including intermittent pneumatic compression, should be taken to avoid postoperative pulmonary thromboembolism in the gynecology field.