Caprini score and surgical times linked to the risk for venous thromboembolism after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy

Objective: To evaluate the Caprini score as an independent predictor of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and to identify appropriate cut-points for clinical use. Material and methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent RARP for prostate cancer between December 2003 and February 2016. VTE cases developed the condition within 90 days of discharge. The control group was comprised of patients whose RARP most closely preceded and followed each VTE case in time and who were matched on lymph node dissection and surgeon. The Caprini score was calculated for each patient, and the groups were compared on a number of clinical variables. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate whether the Caprini score was an independent predictor of VTE. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to establish appropriate clinical cutpoints. Results: A total of 3719 patients underwent RARP during the study period. A total of 52 (1.4%) of patients met the criteria for cases. Data were available for 97 patients who met the criteria for controls. Multiple logistic regression indicated that the Caprini score and operative time were independently both significant predictors of VTE (p=0.005 and p=0.044, respectively). ROC indicated that the Caprini score showed a significant but moderate relationship to VTE (area under curve [AOC]=0.64; p=0.004). A Caprini score >6 was the best arithmetic balance for sensitivity (61.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 47.0–74.7) and specificity (59.8; 95% CI: 49.3–69.6). Conclusion: The Caprini score predicts postoperative VTE in patients undergoing RARP.