Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and deep vein thrombosis, risks and prophylaxis

Intraoperative venous stasis may increase the risk for perioperative deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. To determine if abdominal insufflations during laparoscopic cholecystectomy causes venous stasis, twenty five patients undergoing this procedure had their common femoral veins examined by a duplex scanner to determine time peak blood velocity, circumference and cross-sectional area of the vein, normal pulsatility percent and compressibility before and after abdominal insufflations, then they were examined again immediately after deflation and the day after surgery. The right common femoral veins were catheterized to measure the femoral venous pressures. The results suggested that abdominal insufflation causes venous stasis during laparoscopic cholecystectomies; and measures shown to reduce intraoperative venous stasis, such as pneumatic compressive stockings, may benefit those patients undergoing such procedures