The Impact of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Prophylaxis for Thromboembolism in Thrombophilic Patients Undergoing Abdominoplastic Surgery

Congenital or acquired thrombophilia is observed in 10-15% of the general population; therefore, careful screening is carried out in patients at higher risk of venous thrombo-embolism (VTE). High risk of VTE is a contraindication in patients undergoing abdominoplasty. We evaluated rivaroxaban, an oral Xa inhibitor, with enoxaparin, a subcutaneously low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), in 48 female patients with documented thrombophilia, undergoing thrombo-prophylaxis after abdominoplasty. Patients were stratified into two groups according to thrombo-prophylaxis procedure: enoxaparin Group (n = 28) and rivaroxaban Group (n = 20). Hematologic outcomes were evaluated including VTE and hematoma. No episodes of VTE occurred in both groups; two patients during their course of enoxaparin presented severe hematoma for drainage and hemostasis revision. This study suggests that abdominoplasty, in patients with thrombophilia, in combination with thrombo-prophylaxis can be performed safely. Rivaroxaban was as effective as LMWH for preventing VTE, with only a moderate risk of clinically relevant bleeding. More research is needed to determine the optimal timing and duration of prophylaxis in patients undergoing plastic surgery.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the use of rivaroxaban and enoxaparin for thrombo-prophylaxis in female patients with thrombophilia undergoing abdominoplasty. The results showed that both medications were effective in preventing VTE, with a moderate risk of clinically relevant bleeding.