Incidental Durotomy After Posterior Lumbar Decompression Surgery Associated With Increased Risk for Venous Thromboembolism.

Patients who have incidental durotomies during lumbar laminectomy or laminotomy surgery were found to have increased odds of VTE, primarily in the first five days. Although not all factors associated with this could be directly determined, slower mobilization would seem to be a likely contributing factor. Increasing mobilization and/or adjusting chemoprophylaxis in this group would seem appropriately considered.