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Postoperative Venous Thromboembolic Disease: Natural History, Risk Factors, and Prophylaxis

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Strategies in Gynecologic Surgery

Part of the book series: Clinical Perspectives in Obstetrics and Gynecology ((CPOG))

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Abstract

Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, while largely preventable, are significant complications occurring in postoperative patients. It is estimated that between 150,000 and 200,000 patients die annually in the United States secondary to pulmonary embolism. The magnitude of this problem is relevant to the gynecologist, because 40% of all deaths following gynecologic surgery are directly attributed to pulmonary emboli.1 Pulmonary embolism is also the second leading cause of death in women who undergo a legally induced abortion.2 In a higher risk group of patients with uterine or cervical carcinoma, pulmonary embolism is the leading cause of postoperative death.3,4 The morbidity from nonfatal pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis also consumes important health care dollars through intensive in-hospital treatment as well as the long-term economic loss and suffering of patients who are unable to sustain gainful employment secondary to chronic postthrombotic venous stasis changes.5

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Authors
  1. Daniel L. Clarke-Pearson
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pittsburgh—Magee Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, USA

    Herbert J. Buchsbaum M.D.

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, USA

    Leslie A. Walton M.D.

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© 1986 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

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Clarke-Pearson, D.L. (1986). Postoperative Venous Thromboembolic Disease: Natural History, Risk Factors, and Prophylaxis. In: Buchsbaum, H.J., Walton, L.A. (eds) Strategies in Gynecologic Surgery. Clinical Perspectives in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4924-5_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4924-5_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9361-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-4924-5

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