Henry ML, et al. - Researchers undertook a historical cohort study of cholecystectomy patients from 2001 to 2011 using linked primary (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) and secondary (Hospital Episode Statistics) care data to assess the burden and risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with cholecystectomy in England. They identified 24,677 patients with a VTE rate of 2.80 per 1,000 person-years in the first year following cholecystectomy. Findings suggest a low absolute risk of VTE following cholecystectomy. High-risk groups comprise the elderly, obese and those having open surgery. VTE risk was the highest in the first 30 days post-operatively compared to the general population. The risk was 9.9-fold higher following emergency cholecystectomy and 4.5-fold higher after inpatient cholecystectomy.