colon surgery/clots/blood thinners

Hi--I had a total colectomy and had some urology complictions during surgery. My ureter was cut and the surgery ended up being over 10 hours.  In the hospital my gut wasn't waking up so I had an MRI and CT scan which showed blood clots in my liver.  Three days later my gut still hadn't made a sound so I had another MRI and CT scan that showed I had "developd many more small clots" over those 3 days--I was finally put on Lovenox that day.  I know this isn't the right forum to post in, I just don't know where to ask this question......After a 10 hour surgery is it normal to give a patient blood thinners?  My hematologist said I should have been given a blood thinner right away, buy my colo-rectal surgeon did not order it.  I just need another opinion. Thanks very much!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

It is difficult to give a solid opinion without reviewing the chart.  Clots in the liver can be caused by liver vein thrombosis.  Anticoagulation is one option to treat this.  Depending on the severity, you can also consider thrombylytic therapy, as well as radiologic procedures (such as angioplasty, TIPS, and stenting) and surgical intervention (including shunting procedures and liver transplantation).  

I do not know why there was a delay in giving anticoagulation.  One possible reason is that anticoagulation is best avoided directly after major surgery to prevent bleeding complications.

This can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[lifescribe]

A related discussion, Lovenox after surgery when you have colon cancer was started.