CME/MOC MOC-PSSM CME Article: Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Plastic Surgery Patients

Washington, D.C. Learning Objectives: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand and appreciate the incidence of venous thromboembolism in plastic surgery. 2. Understand and describe the cause and natural history of venous thromboembolism in the setting of plastic surgery. 3. Understand the important patient risk factors for venous thromboembolism and perform an individualized assignment of venous thromboembolism risk. 4. Select a method of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis based on a patient’s venous thromboembolism risk assignment and the overall thromboprophylaxis guidelines by the American College of Chest Physicians. Summary: This Maintenance of Certification module reviews the incidence, cause, and natural history of venous thromboembolism in plastic surgery patients and highlights one algorithm for approaching venous thromboembolism risk assignment and choice of thromboprophylaxis. The Maintenance of Certification module series is designed to help the clinician structure his or her study in specific areas appropriate to his or her clinical practice. This article is prepared to accompany practice-based assessment of preoperative assessment, anesthesia, surgical treatment plan, perioperative management, and outcomes. In this format, the clinician is invited to compare his or her methods of patient assessment and treatment, outcomes, and complications with authoritative, information-based references. This information base is then used for self-assessment and benchmarking in parts II and IV of the Maintenance of Certification process of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This article is not intended to be an exhaustive treatise on the subject. Rather, it is designed to serve as a reference point for further in-depth study by review of the reference articles presented. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 122: 1, 2008.)