Incidence of deep venous thrombosis after gynaecological laparoscopy

Objective To evaluate the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after gynaecological l aparoscopy.Methods The incidence of DVT was studied in 72 consecutive patients who underwent gynaec ological laparoscopy in the Liverpool Health Service between May and September 1 997. B-mode ultrasound supplemented by Doppler was used to examine venous pate ncy and intraluminal echoes to diagnose DVT. Sixty-one patients who had pneumo peritoneum less than 60 minutes were classified a minor procedure and 11 who had pneumoperitoneum more than 60 minutes were classified as major procedure. Two Doppler ultrasound scans were planned for every patient. The first one was done within 24 hours and the second was performed on day 7 post-surgery. All 72 pa tients had the first scan and 40 out of 61 in the minor procedure group and 9 ou t of 11 in the major procedure had the second scan. Twenty-three patients who did not come for the second scan were followed up by phone.Results No DVT was found in our study.Conclusion This study confirms an impression that gynaecological laparoscopic procedure has a very low incidence of DVT. If it occurs, the diagnosis and treatment must be made as soon as possible so that the fatal complications such as pulmonary emb olus can be avoided.