The Sunnybrook Experience: Review of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in Otolaryngology

Objective: To determine the incidence of venous thromboembolism in otolaryngology patients at a Canadian tertiary care hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective review of all otolaryngology operations at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre between January 1, 1989, and December 31, 2004. All patients who developed a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a pulmonary embolism (PE), or both as in-patient postoperative complications were identified. Results: Fourteen patients were identified in our study. Ten patients (71.4%) developed a DVT, five patients developed a PE (35.7%), and one patient (7.1%) developed both. The overall incidence of DVT and PE was 0.1% and 0.05%, respectively. The highest incidence occurred in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery. Patients who developed a PE had a statistically significantly longer hospital stay than patients who developed a DVT (p < .05). There were two deaths in the five patients who developed a PE. Conclusion: Venous thromboembolism is an infrequent but potentially devastating cause of morbidity and mortality in the otolaryngology patient population.