Venous thromboembolism is a major cause of morbidity and mortality following gynecologic surgery. Prevention of deep venous thromboses and pulmonary embolism is therefore crucial in the perioperative management of patients with gynecologic malignancies. In addition, pulmonary embolism is the leading cause of postoperative death after surgery for gynecologic cancer. Most deaths occur suddenly, and hence primary prevention is better than trying to salvage the patient once the event has occurred. Many recent studies recommended that all gynecologic cancer patients should receive venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, including heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin and sequential compression devices. Inferior vena cava filters are utilized to provide mechanical thromboprophylaxis to prevent pulmonary embolism or to avoid bleeding from systemic anticoagulation in high-risk situations.