Application of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis program in patients with colorectal cancer using the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol

Introduction: The incidence of postoperative symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) in western colorectal cancer is 1.1-2.5%. Anticoagulation and mechanical devices are recommended for moderate-to high-risk patients. Hospital stay and immobilization, as risk factors for VTE, are reduced by enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). This study aimed to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes for a VTE prophylaxis program after minimally invasive colorectal cancer surgery with ERAS protocol. In addition, predicting factors associated with VTE were investigated. Materials and methods: We included 1043 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer who required surgical treatment between January 2017 and December 2019 at a single institution. The patients enrolled followed the VTE prophylaxis program. Results: Five (0.5%) patients developed symptomatic VTE, and the median follow-up period was 21 months. The Caprini score for all VTE patients was <= 8 points; thus, only mechanical prophylaxis was applied. The incidence rate of postoperative symptomatic VTE was only 0.5%. There was no association between variables considered as associated with VTE onset, such as age, perioperative complication, and length of postoperative day. TNM staging (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.4-4.16, p = 0.001) and the Caprini score (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.1-2.8, p = 0.001) were associated with VTE onset. Conclusion: Although pharmacological prophylaxis was only performed for Caprini scores >= 9, the VTE incidence rate of patients with colorectal cancer undergoing VTE prophylaxis program was 0.6%; 0.7% is the incidence criterion of the moderate group recommended for pharmacological prophylaxis. Continuous follow-up is required for patients with advanced-stage colorectal cancer with high-risk Caprini scores. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd, BASO - The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the short- and long-term outcomes of a VTE prophylaxis program for minimally invasive colorectal cancer surgery with an ERAS protocol. The results showed a low incidence rate (0.5%) of symptomatic VTE in patients who participated in the prophylaxis program. Factors such as age, perioperative complications, and length of postoperative day were not associated with VTE onset, while TNM staging and Caprini score were significantly associated.