Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse: Predictors of high risk in a low-risk population

Aim Venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates in vaginal pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair are low. Our aim is to evaluate specific risk factors for VTE in patients undergoing vaginal POP repair. Methods This is a cross-sectional study using the American College of Surgeons NSQIP database. Using CPT codes, cases of vaginal POP repair between 2014 and 2017 were identified. Patient and operative characteristics were collected. VTE was defined as pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) within 30 days from surgery. Univariate analyses were performed using the Studentt test for continuous and chi(2) tests for categorical variables. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors independently associated with VTE. Results Of 44 207 women who underwent vaginal POP repair, there were 69 cases of VTE (0.16%). VTE rates for obliterative (0.15%) and functional (0.16%) vaginal POP repair, as well as for repairs with hysterectomy (0.17%) and without hysterectomy (0.12%) were not significantly different (p = .616 and .216, respectively). Multivariate analysis demonstrated predictors for postoperative VTE to be ASA physical status classification >= 3 (aOR, 1.99;p = .014), length of stay >75th percentile (aOR, 2.01;p = .007), operative time >3 h (aOR, 2.24;p = .007), and dyspnea (aOR, 3.26,p = .004). Conclusion Despite the low incidence of VTE after vaginal POP repair, patients with ASA physical status classification >= 3, length of stay >75th percentile, operative time >3 h, and dyspnea were at higher risk for VTE. Vaginal POP repair may have independent VTE risk factors not captured in standard risk assessment tools.