Compression Socks Vs SCD Device?

The use if SCD during TT is standard practice in my opinion.  Compresssion stockings have been shown to do nothing.  For most cases of DVT, the clot forms during surgery which is why. SCD use during surgery is so important.  You need to clarify this with the surgeon, not the nurse before you proceed.   Good luck!

Both protocols attempt to decrease the chance of clots forming in your legs and possibly traveling elsewhere in your body causing problems.  Every surgeon is different.  Most respondents on this board note that they would use the SCD device at time of surgery.  I think this is appropriate as well.  Please talk to your surgeon about this.  See what his/her rationale is.

    Sequential Compression Devices should be used in all tummy tuck patients, and if your Caprini risk assessment puts you in a higher risk category you should receive chemoprophylaxis (Lovenox, etc.) as well.

The choice of which VTE prevention technique to use for surgery is dictated by your risk profile as well as the recommendations made in the American College of Chest Physicians Consensus Statement.  If you do not have any other risk factors, you are in the low to moderate risk category.  SCD's at a minimum are recommended for moderate risk patients. Compression stockings are not a viable prevention strategy if you are higher than low risk.  Discuss your surgeons risk stratification protocol with him.   All patients are not created equal so one method does not apply to all patients.  Good luck!

Most of us feel that just using compression socks alone is probably not enough, especially for a tummy tuck and breast lift. SCD's along with medication is probably the standard of care in most cases now and while we all like to look at our track record and it's success, new guidelines are being developed in medicine all the time and should not be ignored.

Thanks for a great question.  I would never imagine doing your surgery without SCDs.  There is clear data that a tummy tuck alone and clearly with the addition of a breast lift that concern for DVT and subsequent PE (blood clot to the lung) is real and significant.  Maybe your doctor routinely gives Lovenox or Heparin (blood thinners) pre-operatively.  This strategy is even more effective then SCDs at preventing DVT and in combination with SCDs is probably the best option.  There may be an increased risk of bleeding with this strategy however.  Please ask your doctor if he/she uses Lovenox or heparin.  Good luck with your surgery.

You have gotten several opinions which boil down to accessing your risk factors for DVT and applying the appropriate recommended preventative measure(s) based on your risk for DVT.  BC PS us the Caprini scale. At minimum the us of SCDs during surgery is recommended. 

Dr. ES

This is a very important question. Compression socks will not be sufficient. Your risk should be assessed by using the caprini scale. This allows to give a more detailed assessment of somebodies risk of developing dvt. 

 

Best of luck

 

kind regards, 

bianca knoll, md frankfurt germany

I would feel more comfortable with this size of surgery to have the compression devices. Maybe you can insist t on wearing them to prevent a dvt complication .  Not very expensive 

You are accurate in your concern regarding DVT prevention.  Surgery is a well-documented risk factor in forming blood clots.  For all of my patients, I routinely use both TED compression hose and SCD.  I also encourage early ambulation as an added pre caution against blood clots.  There is really no reason to do less.  Review your concerns with your chosen physician.