Clin Should Elbow.  2017 Mar;20(1):18-23. 10.5397/cise.2017.20.1.18.

The Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism Following Shoulder Surgery: A Pilot Study

• Cho CH
• Jang HG
• Park UJ
• Kim HT

• KMID: 2386873
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5397/cise.2017.20.1.18

Abstract

BACKGROUND
To assess the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following shoulder surgery and to evaluate the role of postoperative duplex ultrasonography.
METHODS
The study comprised a total of 224 patients who underwent shoulder surgery, including 180 shoulder arthroscopic surgeries, 28 shoulder arthroplasties, and 16 plate fixations for proximal humerus fracture between January 2014 and December 2014. The mean age of patients was 59.0 years, and there were 81 men and 143 women. Clinical data, including body mass index, blood tests, metabolic work-up for liver and renal function, previous, and present medical history, were evaluated. Duplex ultrasonography in the operative arm was performed on 2 to 4 days after surgery.
RESULTS
The overall incidence of VTE following shoulder surgery was 0.45% (1/224). One patient with open reduction and plate fixation for proximal humerus fracture had asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis that showed complete remission after anticoagulant medication during a 2-month period. Four patients had asymptomatic superficial cephalic vein thrombosis and complete remission without any treatment. There was no case of pulmonary embolism.
CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of VTE following shoulder surgery was extremely low in Asians. Duplex ultrasonography may be not considered a routine follow-up of shoulder surgery and can be selectively performed in high-risk or symptomatic patients for VTE.

Keyword

Shoulder; Surgery; Venous thromboembolism; Ultrasonography; Duplex

MeSH Terms

Arm
Arthroplasty
Arthroscopy
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Body Mass Index
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hematologic Tests
Humans
Humerus
Incidence*
Liver
Male
Pilot Projects*
Pulmonary Embolism
Shoulder*
Thrombosis
Ultrasonography
Veins
Venous Thromboembolism*
Venous Thrombosis