Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume · 1992 · 128 citations · 0 references
MedicineOrthopaedic SurgerySurgeryJoint Replacement SurgeryOrthopedicsVascular SurgeryDeep Vein ThrombosisPulmonary EmbolismThromboembolic DiseaseThromboembolism PreventionThrombosisVenous ThromboembolismControl Group DesignDeep Vein Thrombosis ProphylaxisMatched Control GroupPerioperative ThromboprophylaxisPerioperative Venous Thromboembolism ProphylaxisProximal Deep Vein ThrombosisSurgical ThromboprophylaxisThromboprophylaxis In Orthopedic Surgery
We performed a prospective randomised controlled trial of a new mechanical method of prophylaxis for venous thrombo-embolism in 60 patients undergoing knee replacement surgery. The method uses the A-V Impulse System to produce cyclical compression of the venous reservoir of the foot. The overall incidence of deep-vein thrombosis was 68.7% in patients receiving no prophylaxis and 50% in those using the device. The difference was not significant. There was, however, a reduction of the extent of thrombosis in the treated group. There were 13 major calf-vein thrombi and six proximal-vein thrombi in the control group compared with only five major calf-vein thrombi in the treated group. This difference was significant (p = 0.014). No patient developed clinical features of a pulmonary embolism.