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Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Official Journal of the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

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Combined pharmacological and mechanical prophylaxis for DVT following hip and knee arthroplasty

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology volume 3, pages 149–155 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is an attractive method for prophylaxis of deep venous thromboembolism (DVT) because there is no risk of haemorrhagic complications. However, IPC has not been studied as thoroughly as other methods in orthopaedic and traumatologic surgery. We monitored 328 patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA, TKA) treated with combined pharmacological and mechanical prophylaxis or with pharmacological prophylaxis alone, with pre- and postoperative colour Doppler ultrasound. Prevalences of DVT after THA (4.0%) and TKA (3.2%) were similar, even if the absolute prevalence was lower in the groups given combined prophylaxis. IPC has an important role in preventing postoperative DVTin these patients and reduces the progression from post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) to DVT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopedics Section, Department of Clinical Methodologies and Medico-Surgical Technologies, University of Bari, Bari, Italy, E-mail: b.moretti@ortop2.uniba.it, Tel.: +39-336-820460, Fax: +39-080-5323281, , , , , , IT

    B. Moretti, V. Patella, V. Pesce & C. Simone

  2. Section of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Clinical Methodologies and Medico-Surgical Technologies, University of Bari, Bari, Italy, , , , , , IT

    M. Ciccone

  3. Salvatore Maugieri Foundation, IRCCS Centro Medico, Cassano delle Murge (BA), Italy, , , , , , IT

    M. De Nicolò

Authors
  1. B. Moretti
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  2. V. Patella
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  3. V. Pesce
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  4. C. Simone
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  5. M. Ciccone
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  6. M. De Nicolò
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Received: 20 March 2002, Accepted: 4 April 2002

Correspondence to: B. Moretti

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Moretti, B., Patella, V., Pesce, V. et al. Combined pharmacological and mechanical prophylaxis for DVT following hip and knee arthroplasty. J Orthopaed Traumatol 3, 149–155 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s101950200042

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s101950200042