In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Dr. Jolyn Taylor to discuss thromboembolic events in the ERAS program. Dr. Taylor is an Associate Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She also serves as the Patient Safety Quality Officer for the Division of Surgery and focuses her research on ways to improve the quality of patient care.

Highlights:

-The overall rate of venous thromboembolism within 30 days of surgery on an ERAS pathway for laparotomy and minimally invasive surgery is low at 0.6%.

-The rate of venous thromboembolism within 30 days of laparotomy is 1.1% and 0.3% after minimally invasive surgery.

-Omission of preoperative heparin prophylaxis and postoperative extended venous thromboembolism prophylaxis appears to be safe for patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery though further studies are needed.