Venous Thromboembolism in Plastic Surgery Patients

This CME article reviews venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, in plastic surgery patients, with a focus on understanding baseline and procedure-specific risks, as well as strategies to mitigate these risks. It highlights the use of validated risk assessment tools such as the 2005 Caprini score and presents a structured clinical framework of risk identification, risk modification, and risk reduction across the perioperative period. The article also discusses patient-specific and procedural factors that influence VTE risk, evidence-based prevention strategies including mechanical and pharmacologic prophylaxis, and the importance of individualized, patient-centered decision-making to improve safety outcomes while acknowledging that VTE risk cannot be completely eliminated.

Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, participants will have:
1. An improved understanding of DVT/PE in the plastic surgery population, including baseline risk levels, procedure specific risk, and opportunities for decrease but not eliminate VTE risk.
2. Will be able to utilize principles of risk identification, risk modification, and risk reduction to evaluate and manage peri-operative VTE risk in plastic surgery patients.

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Christopher J. Pannucci, MD, MS
Momeni, Arash MD

Editor-in-Chief: Kevin Chung, MD

Co-Editor: Amy Colwell, MD

Section Editors: John Y.S. Kim, MD

The following ABMS core competencies will be addressed:

Patient Care and Procedural Skills
Medical Knowledge
Practice-based Learning and Improvement
Systems-Based Practice

Accreditation

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation

The ASPS designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Of the 1.0 credits, 0.5 have been identified as applicable to patient safety.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM :1.0

Patient Safety Credit:0.5

Media:Journal Article, video

Release Date: 03/27/2026

Expiration Date: 03/27/2029*

Estimated time to complete this course:1 hour

*Course access ends on course expiration date

Disclosure Policy
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) requires all faculty, authors, planners, reviewers, managers, staff and other individuals in a position to control or influence the content of an activity to disclose all relevant financial relationships or affiliations. All identified conflicts of interest must be resolved and the educational content thoroughly vetted by ASPS for fair balance, scientific objectivity and appropriateness of patient care recommendations. The ASPS also requires faculty/authors to disclose when off-label/unapproved uses of a product are discussed in a CME activity or included in related materials.

Disclaimer: All relevant financial relationships for planners, faculty, and others in control of content (either individually or as a group) are reviewed by the ASPS Continuing Education Committee and have been mitigated, if applicable.

The following planners/faculty members/reviewers have no relevant financial relationships or affiliations to disclose:
Christopher J. Pannucci, MD, MS
Momeni, Arash MD

The authors have no financial interest in any of the products, devices, or drugs mentioned in this article. Dr. Pannucci performs practice consulting and expert witness work specific to deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolus in plastic surgery patients. In the past 2 years, Dr. Pannucci completed an unrelated research grant from Mentor for direct research funds only.

Recognition Statement
The Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits offered by this activity are enhanced by ASPS Learner Credit Reporting for learners who have opted into this reporting. Successful completion of this CME activity enables active American Board of Surgery (ABS) members the opportunity to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the ABS's Continuous Certification program when claimed within 30 days of completion of the activity.

Participants in ASPS-accredited education who want their CME credits reported to certifying and state licensing boards must opt-in to reporting and add their NPI as well as state license ID and/or collaborating board ID(s) before claiming credit.

Directly provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS®)