Gastrointestinal Cancer is a highly prevalent malignant tumor, with a high incidence ranking worldwide.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Formation Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) refers to the pathological phenomenon of abnormal blood clot formation within the deep venous system, leading to partial or complete blockage of the vessel lumen. It results in venous reflux disorders, primarily occurring in the lower limbs. DVT is one of the most common serious complications among surgical patients and is characterized by a high incidence and high mortality rate. Slow blood flow, venous wall damage, and a hypercoagulable state are three recognized major factors contributing to DVT formation.
Prevention of DVT in Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients Pre and Post-Surgery Studies have shown that both preoperative and postoperative DVT incidence rates are relatively high among gastrointestinal cancer patients. Over the years, researchers have primarily focused on preoperative and postoperative DVT prevention, with limited research on intraoperative prevention. Despite significant reductions in DVT incidence, the annual number of cases and deaths remains substantial.
Intraoperative DVT Formation Research has found that lower limb thrombosis mainly occurs within the first 2 hours after surgery, and more than half of the thrombi are believed to originate intraoperatively. Factors contributing to intraoperative DVT risk include prolonged patient immobilization, the use of anesthesia, muscle relaxants, sedatives during surgery, as well as the effects of laparoscopy, pneumoperitoneum, and patient positioning, significantly increasing the risk of DVT formation.
DVT Risk in Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery Laparoscopic surgery is the primary curative treatment for gastrointestinal cancer. Factors contributing to DVT risk in laparoscopic surgery include pneumoperitoneum-induced compression of the inferior vena cava and iliac veins, increased vascular resistance, elevated diaphragm causing increased thoracic pressure, reduced venous return due to prolonged leg muscle inactivity during extended surgical durations, and positioning of patients with the head elevated and feet lowered, leading to reduced venous return, slow blood flow, and an increased risk of thrombosis.
Methods of DVT Prevention Methods for preventing DVT include basic prevention, mechanical prevention, and pharmacological prevention, with intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) being one of the main mechanical methods for DVT prevention. IPC devices are recommended for DVT prevention in domestic and international studies. Existing evidence suggests that intraoperative IPC use, when compared to other nursing measures, reduces the risk of venous thrombosis. IPC is the preferred choice for mechanical prevention.
What is IPC? IPC involves cyclic inflation and deflation of inflatable cuffs by a host device to intermittently apply pressure to wrapped limbs. This promotes passive contraction of the muscles within the pressurized limbs, facilitating venous blood flow in the lower limbs, improving slow blood flow conditions, and reducing the risk of clot formation. Current IPC-related research primarily focuses on postoperative patients, with limited research on intraoperative use.
Study Objective The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of intraoperative use of intermittent pneumatic compression devices in preventing deep vein thrombosis in gastrointestinal cancer surgery patients. The significance of this research lies in providing reference evidence for the potential efficacy of intraoperative IPC application in preventing lower limb deep vein thrombosis in gastrointestinal cancer patients.
