(Burr Ridge, IL) – The North American Spine Society (NASS) released a new Evidence-Based Clinical Guideline for Multidisciplinary Spine Care for Antithrombotic Therapies in Spine Surgery.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and subsequent pulmonary embolism (PE) can occur following spinal surgery, which in turn can lead to morbidity and death. Antithrombotic therapies aid in the prevention of instances of DVT and PE.

“The body of scientific and clinical literature on the topic of DVT and PE is extensive. Either can occur spontaneously or after a risk-enhancing event such as an injury or a surgical procedure,” said William C. Watters III, MD, NASS Research Council Director and former Evidence-Based Guideline Development Committee Co-Chair. “A variety of factors, including the patient’s health and genetic background, can influence the risk of this life threatening complication. Managing this risk in patients undergoing spinal surgery can pose substantial challenges.”

Based on the highest quality clinical literature available on this subject as of February 2008, the guideline’s objective is to provide evidence-based recommendations to address key clinical questions surrounding the use of antithrombotic therapies in spine surgery. The guideline recommendations are intended to assist spine surgeons in delivering optimum, efficacious treatment with the goal of preventing thromboembolic events.

“Developed as an educational tool to assist spine surgeons in minimizing the risk of DVT and PE, this new guideline discusses the incidence of DVT/PE in the population of patients undergoing spinal surgery. Recommendations are made to address the utilization of chemoprophylaxis and mechanical prophylaxis, with discussion of wound complications and risks associated with prophylactic measures,” said Christopher M. Bono, MD, NASS Evidence-Based Guideline Development Committee Co-Chair.

The new NASS Evidence-Based Clinical Guideline for Antithrombotic Therapies in Spine Surgery is now available free for viewing and downloading here.

The North American Spine Society (NASS) is a multidisciplinary medical organization dedicated to fostering the highest quality, evidence‐based, and ethical spine care by promoting education, research, and advocacy. NASS is comprised of more than 5,000 members from several disciplines including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry, neurology, radiology, anesthesiology, research, physical therapy and other spine care professionals.

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