Regular Article Deep vein thrombosis after elective cesarean section Anne Flem Jacobsen a, * , Anders Drolsum b , Nils Einar Klow b , Gunn Falla ˚s Dahl a , Erik Qvigstad a , Per Morten Sandset c a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ulleva˚l University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, N-0407 Oslo, Norway b Department of Radiology, Ulleva˚l University Hospital, Oslo, Norway c Department of Hematology and Hematological Research Laboratory, Ulleva˚l University Hospital, Oslo, Norway Received 8 March 2004; accepted 8 March 2004 Available online 6 May 2004 ABSTRACT Introduction: Pregnancy is associated with an overall 5--10 fold increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The absolute risk is highest during and shortly after delivery. Although operative delivery further increases the risk of VTE, there is no consensus on thromboprophylaxis after an elective cesarean. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of symptomatic and asymptomatic deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in a low risk cesarean section population. Materials and methods: Fifty-nine women undergoing elective cesarean section were screened for DVTusing triplex Doppler sonography 3--5 days after delivery. Markers of activated coagulation were also followed and all women were screened for thrombophilia. Postoperative thromboprophylaxis was not given. During the same period all cases of symptomatic VTE were also recorded. Results: No DVT was detected by ultra- sonography and no women developed symptomatic VTE during the six weeks follow- up period after delivery. Six women had thrombophilia. During the study period, a cesarean section was performed in 1067/5364 (20%) deliveries. Five of these women (0.47%) developed symptomatic pulmonary embolism, and all of these women had additional risk factors for VTE. Conclusion: The risk of DVT among healthy pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean section is low, and general medical thromboprophylaxis is probably not justified. A 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 0049-3848/$ - see front matter A 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.thromres.2004.03.008 Abbreviations: VTE, venous thromboembolism; DVT, deep venous thrombosis; PE, pulmonary embolism; TAT, thrombin--antithrombin complex. * Corresponding author. Tel.: +47-22119800; fax: +47 22119775. E-mail address: anneflem.jacobsen@ulleval.no (A.F. Jacobsen). intl.elsevierhealth.com/journals/thre KEYWORDS Venous thromboembolism; Duplex ultrasound; Cesarean section; Thrombophilia Thrombosis Research (2004) 113, 283--288