New York — The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), based here, issued a statement recently saying that surgeons who do not use or properly implement prophylaxis often may be risking their patients’ safety by not protecting them from venous thromboembolic events (VTE).
In an article appearing in the March/April issue of Aesthetic Surgery Journal, which is published by the society, VTE is described as a disease process that includes both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) and may have fatal or debilitating consequences. The article states that although incidence of VTE is relatively low in cosmetic-surgery patients, plastic surgeons should continue to take steps to maximize patient safety. The article was commissioned by the ASAPS Patient Safety Steering Committee and is described as the most comprehensive review of all the factors that should be considered when determining the need for measures to help prevent VTE.
The article’s publication coincides with the kickoff of the ASAPS “Campaign for Patient Safety,” which will focus on VTE as well as on a new partnership with the Coalition to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis. The campaign will include regular, focused patient-safety initiatives, including the release of new data and studies seen as key to ensuring the safety of cosmetic and plastic surgery patients.
