[Can the individual risk of the patient for thromboembolic complications be estimated? What references can be used for differential therapeutic procedure?].

In 1988 and 1989 4581 patients had been hospitalized in the surgical department of the Stadtkrankenhaus Neuwied. These patients were treated prophylactically with a combination of low molecular weight heparin and dihydroergotamine in order to prevent deep vein thrombosis. The observed incidence of DVT and pulmonary embolism was extremely low. In patients who died during hospitalization, death was mainly caused by cancer or multimorbidity. Although some risk factors for developing DVT are recognized, we are at present not able to calculate the individual risk of a patient. Therefore, we need an effective and safe prophylaxis regimen for all patients undergoing surgical operations.