Surgery for obesity and related diseases : official journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery
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Surg Obes Relat Dis · Nov 2007
Preoperative placement of retreivable inferior vena cava filters in bariatric surgery.
Postoperative pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major source of mortality after bariatric surgery. In conjunction with pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis, lower extremity pneumatic compression devices, and early ambulation, preoperative placement of a retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filter may reduce the risk of thromboembolic complications. ⋯ Preoperative placement of retrievable IVC filters is a safe measure for the prophylaxis of PE in high-risk bariatric patients. The filters can be placed efficiently just before surgery, and most filters can be removed 2-3 weeks postoperatively. Additional investigation is necessary to prove the effectiveness of retrievable IVC filters in bariatric surgery.