Incidence of, and risk factors for, postoperative venous thromboembolism in patients with benign or malignant musculoskeletal tumors

Abstract

BackgroundVenous thromboembolism is a serious complication after surgery for malignant musculoskeletal tumors in the lower extremity. However, the incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism in patients with benign musculoskeletal tumors and musculoskeletal tumors in the upper extremity or trunk remains unclear. Identifying risk factors may provide useful information for selecting patients who should receive chemoprophylaxis. MethodsA retrospective study of 833 patients with musculoskeletal tumors who underwent surgery was conducted. Patients were divided into four groups: 364 patients with benign tumors in the upper extremity or trunk (group 1); 315 patients with benign tumors in the lower extremity or pelvis (group 2); 50 patients with malignant tumors in the upper extremity or trunk (group 3); and 104 patients with malignant tumors in the lower extremity or pelvis (group 4). The incidence of venous thromboembolism was investigated, and risk factors were examined for group 4. ResultsThe incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism was 0, 0.95, 0, and 4.8% in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The incidence of venous thromboembolism in the malignant tumor group (groups 3+group 4) was significantly higher than that in the benign tumor group (group 1+group 2). The incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism in the upper extremity or trunk group (group 1+group 3) was significantly lower than that in the lower extremity or pelvis group (group 2+group 4). In group 4, a higher incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism was significantly correlated with a history of cerebrovascular disease and surgery in the prone position. ConclusionsPatients with malignant tumors in the lower extremity or pelvis, particularly those with a history of cerebrovascular disease and surgery in a prone position, were at high risk of venous thromboembolism. Patients with benign tumors in the lower extremity or pelvis were at intermediate risk. This is important information for predicting the incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism and determining who should receive chemoprophylaxis after surgery for musculoskeletal tumors.