Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Maxillofacial Surgery

Abstract

The aim of this article is to conduct a literature review concerning the need for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis among patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery. This article addresses the diagnosis of VTE, patient risk stratification, and prophylactic measures suitable for the various groups of interest in maxillofacial surgery. From a pool of 44 articles identified, nine were chosen as the most pertinent to the aims of this review. Despite limited data on this topic, individuals undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery generally exhibit a low risk of VTE. This review emphasizes the importance of implementing prophylactic measures tailored to individual risk factors. Pharmacological prophylaxis merits consideration, particularly when the Caprini score is ≥7. However, further research is needed to optimize prophylactic strategies in maxillofacial surgery.