Parameters influencing thromboprophylaxis management of a lower leg trauma treated with a cast/splint

• Published in: Acta orthopaedica belgica Vol. 74; no. 5; pp. 672 - 677
• Main Authors: Decramer, Arne, Lowyck, Hans, Demuynck, Marc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Belgium 01.10.2008
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Casts, Surgical; Child; Female; Humans; Immobilization - adverse effects; Leg Injuries - complications; Leg Injuries - therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Splints; Thromboembolism - prevention & control
• ISSN: 0001-6462

Lower leg trauma is a frequent pathology in the emergency department of every hospital. Given the lack of a general consensus and the poor knowledge in the current use of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis, a cross-sectional, observational and epidemiological disease registry with 261 patients included by 16 centers was designed. These patients presented with a lower leg trauma and all needed a cast or splint to immobilize the injured leg. First, the different risk factors for thromboembolism and the type of injury in this population are mapped out. Secondly, the importance of both parameters in the decision making process to use or not to use prophylaxis in a lower leg trauma is discussed. In the absence of clear guidelines, the presence of thromboembolic risk factors (type and number in a specific patient) and the type of injury are leading the decision to use thromboprophylaxis in emergency department of non-university hospitals, in patients with a lower leg trauma receiving a cast or splint to immobilize an injured leg.