The effect of lumbar epidural analgesia on the development of deep vein thrombosis of the legs after open prostatectomy.

Abstract

The occurrence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was studied by the 125-I-fibrinogen uptake test in 38 patients subjected to retropubic prostatectomy. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups: continuous lumbar epidural analgesia for up to 24 hours and general anaesthesia with intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Two of the 17 patients in the epidural group (12%) developed DVT in contrast 11 of the 21 patients in the general anaesthetic group (51%). The difference between the groups was significant. It is concluded that epidural analgesia offers a protection against postoperative DVT and is worth further investigation.