Background: The role of Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) in day case/short-stay surgery is unknown.
Aim: To characterise the current national use of LMWH prophylaxis in specific day and short stay surgeries.
Methods: A standardised anonymous postal questionnaire was sent to all consultant general surgeons in Ireland. The operations selected were herniorraphy, anorectal, varicose vein and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Results: Questionnaires were sent to 82 surgeons in 2003. There was a response rate of 68.3% (56). Fifty-four per cent of respondents said there was a protocol in place for administration of LMWH in day case surgery. Of these 41% were not confident that their protocols were being adhered. Fifty-nine per cent of all respondents said they stratified patients according to individual risk. Thirteen per cent reported occurrence of VTE post day case surgery
Conclusion: This study demonstrates a heterogeneous pattern of administration of LMWH. In the absence of published validated protocols, the authors suggest a consensus day case protocol.