Anticoagulant Therapy with Dicumarol Maintained during Major Surgery

Abstract

Most postoperative thromboses are probably initiated before or during surgical interventions and most of the fatal embolisms occur during the early postoperative period. As a complete prophylaxis, Dicumarol therapy was begun before, and maintained at an effective level during and after, major surgical interventions in 11 patients with a marked thromboembolic predisposition. No excessive hemorrhage, thromboembolic incidents or other unusual complications were encountered. The precautions necessary for a safe performance of the procedure are described.