Prevention of deep vein thrombosis in orthopaedic surgery. Comparison of two different treatment protocols with low molecular weight heparin (‘Fluxum’)

Summary The efficacy of two treatment protocols with a low molecular weight heparin used for the prevention of post-operative deep vein thrombosis was compared in 40 patients undergoing hip replacement surgery. The aim was to assess whether the dijferent timing — 2 hours before (Group A, 19 patients) or 2 hours after (Group B, 21 patients) the surgical operation — of the first dose administered (1.5,000 aXaU) of a therapeutic cycle of 7 days could affect the results, both with respect to the preventive efficacy and to the risk of haemorrhage often connected with antithrombotic therapy. The results showed that the incidence of deep vein thrombosis was very similar and extremely low in the two groups, only 1 patient in each group having a positive diagnosis on phlebography. The effectiveness of a single daily dose of 15,0000 aXaU in orthopaedic surgery was also confirmed. This dose guaranteed effective prophylaxis against the onset of deep vein thrombosis and did not appear to have any local side-effects (such as burning or pain at the site of injection) which could diminish patient compliance.