Efficacy of prophylactic inferior vena cava filter placement in bariatric surgery.

Background: To determine whether prophylactic placement of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter in bariatric patients deemed to be at high risk is effective in reducing their risk of pulmonary embolism. The study was performed at a bariatric center in a community hospital.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of all patients in the Hurley Bariatric Center database who had undergone surgery from April 2000 to June 2006.