Thromboembolic problems in colorectal cancer surgery.

The problem of thromboembolic complication in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal malignancies has been evaluated based on data from the literature and own experiences. One problem is the few studies dealing exclusively with this group of patients or presenting separate data on these patients. Deep vein thrombosis is somewhat more common than that seen after other types of abdominal surgery. No difference between patients operated on for colonic or rectal cancer have been found. The number of fatal or contributory pulmonary emboli is higher than the average number among other operated patients. Low dose heparin, low molecular weight heparin and mechanical methods, especially when combined with heparin or dextran, reduce the frequency of deep vein thrombosis. Fatal pulmonary embolism can effectively be prevented by low dose heparin with or without dihydroergotamine or by dextran.