Prophylaxis of thromboembolism in orthopaedics and traumatology

Ann Chir Gynaecol. 1991;80(4):363-7.

Abstract

In a retrospective study we collected patient data relating to clinically detected postoperative thromboembolic complications before (n = 1710) and after (n = 2212) adopting a protocol for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A relatively low incidence of clinically diagnosed DVT, four per thousand, before systematic instructions for prophylaxis in 1981 could be explained by the frequent use of dextran as a volume expander in critically ill patients. However, following systematic prophylaxis the frequency of DVT decreased further (one per thousand).

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage*
  • Bandages
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dextrans / administration & dosage
  • Dihydroergotamine / administration & dosage
  • Drug Combinations
  • Early Ambulation
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery*
  • Heparin / administration & dosage
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Trauma / surgery*
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / prevention & control*
  • Risk Factors
  • Thrombophlebitis / prevention & control*
  • Warfarin / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Dextrans
  • Drug Combinations
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
  • heparin-dihydergot
  • Dihydroergotamine
  • Warfarin
  • Heparin