Status of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis among bariatric surgeons: have we changed our practice during the past decade?

Chemical prophylaxis for VTE with some type of heparin is the standard of care for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Low-molecular-weight heparin is now used by two thirds of the respondents to this survey. Most surgeons who responded to the survey discharged their patients home with heparin, and many consider the use of inferior vena cava filters for VTE prophylaxis. Our findings support the American Society for Metabolic Bariatric Surgery position statement regarding VTE prophylaxis in this patient population. Research is necessary to establish the role of inferior vena cava filters, discharging patients with chemoprophylaxis and to determine the adequate dosage and duration of prophylaxis.