Results of post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy duplex scan without deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis prior to surgery

BACKGROUNDS: There are controversies among surgeons about prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was the assessment of patients’ condition after laparoscopic cholecystectomy without any prophylactic measure. METHODS: 100 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy without DVT prophylaxis were followed by duplex scanning in the first postoperative day and by physical examination and patient history at the first to second postoperative week however no clinical sign was found for DVT. RESULTS: Only one case of partially thrombosis (1%) was found by duplex scanning which was managed conservatively. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy may consider as a low-risk procedure and routine prophylaxis may not be justified in the absence of other risk factor.