Femoral vein stasis during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Effects of graded elastic compression leg bandages in preventing thrombus formation

Venous stasis of the legs during laparoscopic cholecystectomy was compared between patients without graded compression leg bandages (Group 1; n = 12) and patients with such bandages (Group 2; n = 12) by measuring mean blood flow velocity and cross-sectional area of the femoral vein using color Doppler ultrasonography. In Group 1, when velocity and area were measured in the supine position, a significant decrease in velocity ( p < .05) and a significant increase in area ( p < .05) occurred after abdominal insufflation to 10 mm Hg. These changes were greater during abdominal insufflation in the reverse Trendelenburg position than during abdominal insufflation in the supine position. In Group 2, flow velocity was significantly higher ( p < .05) before abdominal insufflation as compared with Group 1. After abdominal insufflation to 10 mm Hg and a postural change, velocity significantly decreased ( p < .05) and area significantly increased ( p< .05) in Group 2, similar to the results in Group 1. During abdominal insufflation at 5 mm Hg or lower, the use of the graded compression bandage was found to be useful for preventing femoral vein stasis. During abdominal insufflation at 10 mm Hg or in the reverse Trendelenburg position, the bandage did not prevent femoral vein stasis. (Gastrointest Endosc 1995;42:151-5.)