To investigate retrospectively the incidence and risk factors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery.

Data were obtained from patients treated between January 2005 and June 2006 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam. Patients records were reviewed on complaints and information related to deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Furthermore, all patients completed a questionnaire on complaints related to DVT and PE. The patients were classified according to a risk classification, and the incidence of reported DVT and PE was calculated. The study population comprised 411 patients with a mean age of 32 (±17) years. Median postoperative follow-up period was 53 (23–639) days. None of the patients received any form of thromboembolism prophylaxis. The incidence of VTE in the study group was 0.5%. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a relationship between body mass index and hospital stay with thromboembolism ( p < 0.05). Patients undergoing pre-implant surgery with bone graft proved to be at risk ( p = 0.07). Although the incidence of VTE in oral and maxillofacial surgeries seems to be low, thromboembolism prophylaxis may be justified in patients with clear potential risk factors.

Conflict of interest: None declared.