Incidence and prevention of deep venous thrombosis occurring late after general surgery: randomised controlled study of prolonged thromboprophylaxis

• Published in: The European journal of surgery Vol. 164; no. 9; pp. 657 - 663
• Main Authors: Lausen, Iver, Jensen, René, Jorgensen, Lars N., Rasmussen, Morten S., Lyng, Karen M., Andersen, Mette, Raaschou, Hans O., Wille-Jørgensen, Peer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: UK Taylor & Francis, Ltd 01.09.1998; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents - administration & dosage; heparin; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight - administration & dosage; Humans; low-molecular-weight (therapeutic use); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; postoperative complications (prevention and control); Postoperative Complications - prevention & control; randomised controlled trial; Single-Blind Method; thromboembolism (prevention and control); Thromboembolism - etiology; Thromboembolism - prevention & control; thrombophlebitis (epidemiology); thrombophlebitis (prevention and control); Thrombophlebitis - etiology; Thrombophlebitis - prevention & control; Human; Postoperative; Chemoprophylaxis; Deep vein thrombosis; Cardiovascular disease; Epidemiology; Long term; Venous disease; Incidence; Vascular disease; Prevention; Treatment; Complication; Clinical trial; Bibliographic review
• ISSN: 1102-4151; 1741-9271
• DOI: 10.1080/110241598750005534

Objective: To study the incidence of late deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and to evaluate a regimen of prolonged thromboprophylaxis after general surgery. Design: Randomised, controlled, open trial, with blinded evaluation. Setting: University hospital, Denmark. Subjects: 176 consecutive patients undergoing major elective abdominal or non‐cardiac thoracic operations, of whom 118 were eligible for evaluation. Interventions: Thromboprophylaxis with a low‐molecular‐weight heparin, tinzaparin, given for four weeks (n = 58), compared with one week (control group, n = 60). Main outcome measures: Presence of DVT established by bilateral venography four weeks after the operation. Results: The incidence of late DVT in the control group was 6/60 (10%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4% to 21%). In the prophylaxis group it was 3/58 (5.2%, 95% CI 1% to 14%) (p = 0.49). Conclusion: Prolonged thromboprophylaxis had no significant effect on the incidence of DVT occurring late after general surgery. Copyright © 1998 Taylor and Francis Ltd.