Utilization of partition analysis to evaluate the incidence on deep vein thrombosis following esophagectomy

Background: We performed a retrospective observational study to examine the involvement of suspicious factors and causes of deep vein thrombosis using cases of esophagectomy that were done to treat esophageal carcinoma. Methods: The 144 patients received esophagectomy in Okayama University Hospital from January 2005 to June 2007. All patients had an enhanced CT or an ultrasound examination after their operations. The incidence of deep vein thrombosis was then determined. For cases that found deep vein thrombosis, the anticoagulant treatment was strengthened. When the thrombosis was already so large to be seen in the inferior vena cava, the IVC filter was left to prevent a pulmonary embolism. Using JMP5.0.1 statistical analysis software, we analyzed the relationship between various clinical factors and the incidence of deep vein thrombosis. Results: Using JMP5.0.1, factors causing deep vein thrombosis were analyzed and partitioning was done. The most significant risk factor causing deep vein thrombosis is leaving the central venous catheter inserted into the inguinal femoral area. Logistic analysis also showed that only the catheter if inserted from the inguinal femoral area, was significantly related to cause deep vein thrombosis (p < 0.0055). No other factor was a significant risk to cause deep vein thrombosis. Conclusions: We analyzed the relationship between suspicious factors and the causes of deep vein thrombosis in cases of esophagectomy. The most relevant factors were inserting the central venous catheter from the inguinal femoral route. This evidence can be applied to both pre-operative and postoperative management to prevent deep vein thrombosis.