Post‑hepatectomy venous thromboembolism: A systematic review with meta‑analysis exploring the role of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis

Purpose Patients undergoing hepatectomy are at moderate-to-high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). This study critically examines the efficacy of combining pharmacological (PTP) and mechanical thromboprophylaxis (MTP) versus only MTP in reducing VTE events against the risk of hemorrhagic complications.

Methods A systematic review of major reference databases was undertaken, and a meta-analysis was performed using common-effects model. Risk of bias assessment was performed using Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was used to assess the precision and conclusiveness of the results.

Results 8 studies (n=4238 patients) meeting inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. Use of PTP+MTP was found to be associated with significantly lower VTE rates compared to only MTP (2.5% vs 5.3%; pooled RR 0.50, p=0.03, I\ 2=46%) with minimal type I error. PTP+MTP was not associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic complications (3.04% vs 1.9%; pooled RR 1.54, p=0.11, I 2=0%) and had no significant impact on post-operative length of stay (12.1 vs 10.8 days; pooled MD−0.66, p=0.98, I 2=0%) and mortality (2.9% vs 3.7%; pooled RR 0.73, p=0.33, I 2=0%).

Conclusion Despite differences in the baseline patient characteristics, extent of hepatectomy, PTP regimens, and heterogeneity in the pooled analysis, the current study supports the use of PTP in post-hepatectomy patients (grade of recommendation: strong) as the combination of PTP+MTP is associated with a significantly lower incidence of VTE (level of evidence, moderate), without an increased risk of post-hepatectomy hemorrhage (level of evidence, low).