Oral anticoagulants and dextran for prevention of venous thrombosis in orthopaedics

A hundred and fifty-two patients who were to undergo major orthopaedic surgery were divided into two groups in order to study the value of dextrans administered as adjuvants to oral anticoagulants in the prevention of deep venous thrombosis. The control group had oral anticoagulants only from the evening before the day of operation, aimed at the 15 per cent thrombotest level. The dextran group had peroperative and postoperative dextran infusions as well. Radionuclide venography was used for thrombosis detection. The dextran group had a lower incidence of thrombosis, but more haemorrhagic problems. The incidence of thrombosis was high in both groups.