Venous thromboembolism in head and neck surgery: Risk, outcome, and burden at the national level

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) can complicate major surgeries. This study examines the risk and outcomes of VTE in patients who underwent head and neck surgeries. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis utilizing the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2010-2014). Study population included adults (≥18 year) patients who underwent head and neck surgeries. Results: A total 386 VTE patients and 116 450 controls included. VTE risk was 0.37%, postoperative mortality was 4.87%. Of VTE, 57.02% identified within the initial admission for surgery, while the rest required readmission within 90 days. VTE high-risk surgeries included: major ear/skull base surgeries, major nose/paranasal sinuses surgeries, major mouth/tonsil surgeries, major salivary glands/ducts surgeries, major maxillofacial bones/mandible surgeries, and major and nonmajor pharynx and larynx surgeries (P <.05). Those same surgeries were also associated with a high risk of readmission (P <.05). Conclusions: VTE is associated with a significant mortality risk. Surgeries that involve the pharynx and larynx have the highest risk of VTE and readmission.