Incidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis after Major Abdominal Surgery as Observed in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The reported incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) ranges from 3 to 47%. We were unable to locate any report in the literature regarding the incidence of DVT in the population of the Arabian peninsula. We therefore studied the incidence of DVT after major abdominal surgery as assessed by 125 I fibrinogen scanning in 103 local patients. DVT developed in 14 patients (13.6%). This is significantly lower than that reported from temperate regions. However, the morbidity rate among the DVT-positive group was high (21%). Our findings suggest that prophylactic measures against DVT should be a mandatory feature of patient care. Arabia. 1990; 10(6): 602-604 Many studies have reported widely differing incidences of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) [1][2][3][4]. It has been postulated that climatic or racial factors may be important in the genesis of this complication [7,12]. However, no such information has been available for the Gulf area of the Middle East. The present study was therefore undertaken to determine the incidence of DVT in a group of patients, most of Saudi Arabian origin and living in the Arabian Peninsula, and to allow the formulation of a rational policy of prophylaxis against DVT for this region. AB Mofti, Incidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis after Major Abdominal Surgery as Observed in Saudi Patients and MethodsIn a prospective study, all patients over 40 years of age and of Arabian origin undergoing elective major abdominal surgery at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh were included in the investigation. Institutional approval and prior consent to the study were obtained. No form of DVT prophylaxis was used. Relevant clinical data for each patient were recorded and included in a detailed inquiry into the known risk factors contributing to the development of DVT.A total of 103 patients were studied. There were 56 females and 47 males, with an overall age range of 40 to 80 years. Sixty-five percent of the patients were in their fifth decade. Seventy-three patients (71%) were Saudi nationals, while the remaining were of Middle Eastern extraction, living in the Gulf or Arabian peninsula.The types of operative procedures reflect the local pattern of abdominal disorders necessitating surgical intervention in our practice. Most disorders involve the hepatobiliary system or the upper alimentary tract. In only six patients (5.8%) was the large bowel the source of the primary pathology (Table 1).

A national perspective on cardiovascular diseases in Saudi Arabia

“…The age inclusion in this study (30 years old) was higher than the included age in our study (15 years) which might explain the discrepancy in the prevalence. Another small study found a 13.6% prevalence of deep venous thrombosis among surgical patients [ 20 ]. However, the sample of this study is different than our sample as this study included only patients who underwent surgical intervention.…”