ABSTRACT
The early studies in this patient group were a series of small, open-label, controlled trials in which women with gynecological cancers were randomized to receive prophylaxis versus no treatment.33-36 Using 125I-fibrinogen leg scanning or impedance plethysmography for screening, these studies found that the incidence of postoperative venous thrombosis after surgery for gynecological malignancy without prophylaxis ranged from 12% to 35%. Various prophylactic regimens, including low-dose UFH commencing 2 hours preoperatively, UFH commencing 16 hours preoperatively, and external pneumatic compression, were found to be effectively in reducing this risk by 20-60%.
