Strategies to reduce colorectal surgery complications

^{copyright monkeybusinessimages/Thinkstock}

Timing

One factor that may have an impact on complications appears to be timing of surgery, at least at Washington University, where Dr. Mutch practices. The institution found that patients who had surgery the same day they were admitted had a 2.5% VTE risk, compared with 11% in patients who had surgery 5 or more days after admission.

Postop ambulation

Postsurgical ambulation was another critical complication factor. Dr. Mutch cited a study showing that ambulation on the day after surgery was associated with a 1% VTE risk, compared to 6.9% in patients who waited until day 2.

Dr. Mutch had no disclosures. Global Academy for Medical Education and this news organization are owned by the same parent company.