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Three-year experience of prophylactic placement of inferior vena cava filters in women with gynecological cancer

Authors Babu SB, Khan AM, Coates PJB

Received 19 February 2013

Accepted for publication 11 April 2013

Published 13 August 2013 Volume 2013:6 Pages 671—674

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S44191

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 4



Suresh B Babu,1 Asiya Maheen Khan,2 Philip JB Coates1

1Radiology Department, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK; 2Radiology Department, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of prophylactic placement of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters to prevent pulmonary embolism (PE) in women undergoing surgery and chemotherapy for gynecological cancer.
Methods and materials: Thirty-eight IVC filters were placed in 38 women between January 2008 and January 2010; 25 of these were placed in gynecological cancer patients for prevention of PE during surgery and the postoperative period. The patients' electronic medical records, follow-up computed tomography scans, and outpatient follow-up notes were retrospectively reviewed for incidence of PE and adverse events.
Results: After 6 months of follow-up, no PE was observed and there was no mortality. Nine filters were retrieved uneventfully, and there were no clinical complications associated with any indwelling filter.
Conclusion: IVC filters are safe and beneficial towards preventing PE in women undergoing surgery and chemotherapy for gynecological cancer.

Keywords: inferior vena cava filter, gynecological cancer, prophylaxis, pulmonary embolism

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