Learning objectives: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand and appreciate the incidence of venous thromboembolism in plastic surgery. 2. Understand and describe the cause and natural history of venous thromboembolism in the setting of plastic surgery. 3. Understand the important patient risk factors for venous thromboembolism and perform an individualized assignment of venous thromboembolism risk. 4. Select a method of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis based on a patient's venous thromboembolism risk assignment and the overall thromboprophylaxis guidelines by the American College of Chest Physicians.
Summary: This Maintenance of Certification module reviews the incidence, cause, and natural history of venous thromboembolism in plastic surgery patients and highlights one algorithm for approaching venous thromboembolism risk assignment and choice of thromboprophylaxis.