Coagulation and deep vein flow changes following laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair: a single-center, prospective cohort study

Background and purpose Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication encountered in surgical practice. The purpose of this study was to identify changes in coagulation status and deep vein flow parameters, within 24 h postoperatively, for patients undergoing laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (TEP). Methods For 144 patients undergoing TEP, coagulation markers including prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, D-dimer, fibrinogen, fibrin degradation products (FDP), and international normalized ratio (INR) were monitored preoperatively and in the first morning postoperatively. Echo-Doppler recordings preoperatively and again within 24 h postoperatively were completed for 23 patients to monitor lower extremity deep vein flow parameters including speed of flow (cm/s), diameter (cm), and cross-sectional area (cm(2)). Clinically significant VTE and other complications were recorded. Results No significant VTE were diagnosed. Significant increases were seen in the first morning postoperatively for PT, D-dimer, FDP, and INR (P<0.05). Stratified by age, except for those <50 years, the ratio of value-outside-the-normal-range (VONR) for D-dimer and FDP increased significantly postoperatively for all age groups. Stratified by operation duration, a significant difference in the ratio of VONR in D-dimer was identified postoperatively between those with an operation duration <60 min and >= 60 min. There were significant decreases in the iliac and common femoral vein flow velocity of the ipsilateral extremity postoperatively (P<0.05). Conclusions Activated hypercoagulability and hampered lower extremity deep vein flow were observed immediately after TEP. DVT formation was more pronounced in older patients and for those with operation duration >= 60 min. Proper VTE risk stratification for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) and prophylaxis early after LIHR should be important clinical considerations.