In patients undergoing minimally invasive colorectal resections within an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol, extended venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis significantly reduces post-discharge VTE rates, albeit with a small absolute risk reduction.

• Post-discharge VTE incidence was 0.5% overall, with 1.4% in the standard prophylaxis group versus 0.1% in the extended prophylaxis group (p=0.010).
• Despite the statistical significance, the absolute risk reduction is modest, suggesting limited clinical impact.

Surgeons should consider incorporating extended prophylaxis selectively, especially in higher-risk patients, given the minimal increase in bleeding complications.