A randomised clinical trial comparing the patient comfort and efficacy of three different graduated compression stockings in the prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis

Aims and objectives To compare the comfort levels of patients regarding the use of three different graduated compression stockings and to analyse the efficacies of the graduated compression stockings in relation to patient comfort and compliance in prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis. Background Graduated compression stockings are very important with other prophylaxis methods in postoperative deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis. In meta‐analyses and systematic review studies, it was reported that knee‐length and thigh‐length graduated compression stockings had similar efficacies. However, there is no randomised study in literature regarding the patient problems and levels of comfort with the use of graduated compression stockings of different sizes and pressures. Design A randomised clinical trial design. Methods A total of 219 patients were randomised into three groups (n = 73 in each group). Group I was given low‐pressure, knee‐length graduated compression stockings, group II was given low‐pressure, thigh‐length graduated compression stockings and group III was given moderate‐pressure, knee‐length graduated compression stockings. The level of patients comfort regarding the graduated compression stockings and occurrence of deep vein thrombosis were examined. Results The vast majority of the patients (79·5%) in group III and 52·1% of the patients in group II stated experiencing problems during the use of the graduated compression stockings (p