Current use of thromboembolism prophylaxis for laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients in Sweden

Background The need for thromboembolism (TE) prophylaxis during laparoscopic surgery is not well established. The aim of this study was to investigate current TE prophylaxis in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in Sweden.Methods Mail questionnaire to all Surgical Departments in Sweden about the current use of thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Results The response rate was 78 of 80 departments of surgery (98%). Seventy reported performing LC. Thirty-six percent used thromboembolism prophylaxis in all patients, 17% in most, 9% in half their patients and 39% only rarely. The current use of thromboembolism prophylaxis ranged from low-molecular-weight heparin for 7 days + stockings in all patients to no prophylaxis at all in the majority of patients.Conclusions The use of thromboembolism prophylaxis in LC patients is highly variable, even in the small and homogenous country of Sweden. Further studies concerning the risk of TE complications after laparoscopic surgery are warranted.