If you score a 2 on Caprini DVT Scale & you use SCDs during your 5 hour Belt lipectomy, how much % does your DVT risk go down?

Question

if your surgeon uses sequential compression devices only during your surgery and you score a 2 on the caprini risk assessment, how much percentage would using Sequential compression devices reduce your chances of developing a DVT or PE in a healthy, 25 year old male patient undergoing a belt lipectomy?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding if you score a two on Caprini DVT Scale & use SCDs during your 5-hour belt lipectomy and what percentage does your DVT risk go down? Your caprine score does not go down by using SCDs. Your caprine score is a fixed score used in your preoperative assessment. For almost all surgical procedures, SCDs decrease your DVT risk. This is standard of care in the U.S. Your risk of DVT significantly decreases by earning SCD, but it does not alter your captain's score. In addition, I would also suggest you use blood thinners right before and after surgery, approximately two weeks if you are planning on undergoing a belt lipectomy.

Michael S. Wong, MD · Answer

Dear foreveryoung908,
Thank you for your great question! Unfortunately we don't have great studies that can get as granular as you are asking. We can say that as a Caprini 2, you are at a low risk to start with. Adding on SCDs will further decrease the risk. As you have alluded to, the longer the procedure, the greater the risk. Additionally, tummy tucks and other lower body contouring procedures such as the belt lipectomy also increase the risk of having DVTs. One thing you can do to decrease your chance of having this complication after your surgery is to ambulate. When you do so, your calf muscles contract and help prevent pooling of blood in your legs, which can then clot. So make sure you are not laying in bed after your surgery, but are gettin up and moving around.
I hope you find this helpful and wish you well with your surgery.

If you score a 2 on Caprini DVT Scale & you use SCDs during your 5 hour Belt lipectomy, how much % does your DVT risk go down?

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If you score a 2 on Caprini DVT Scale & you use SCDs during your 5 hour Belt lipectomy, how much % does your DVT risk go down?

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