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. 2016 Sep;28(3):213-8.
doi: 10.5792/ksrr.2016.28.3.213. Epub 2016 Aug 25.

Incidences of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism after Total Knee Arthroplasty Using a Mechanical Compression Device with and without Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin

Sin Hyung Park  1 , Joong Hyeon Ahn  1 , Yong Bok Park  1 , Sun Geun Lee  1 , Soo Jae Yim  1
Affiliations

Incidences of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism after Total Knee Arthroplasty Using a Mechanical Compression Device with and without Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin

Sin Hyung Park et al. Knee Surg Relat Res. 2016 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the incidence of thromboembolic events and complications related to bleeding after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a mechanical compression device alone or in combination with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH).

Materials and methods: A total of 489 TKA patients (776 knees) were retrospectively reviewed for the incidence of thromboembolic events and complications related to bleeding. While 233 patients (354 knees) were treated with a mechanical compressive device without LMWH, 256 patients (422 knees) were treated with the mechanical compressive device along with LMWH.

Results: The incidences of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) were 15 of 375 knees (4.0%) and 5 of 375 knees (1.3%), respectively, in the group that used only a mechanical compressive device, and 14 of 401 knees (3.4%) and 5 of 401 knees (1.2%), respectively, in the group that used the mechanical compressive device with LMWH. There was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.125 and p=0.146, respectively). The postoperative hemovac drainage amount was 635±57 mL in the group with a mechanical compressive device only and 813±84 mL in the group with the device and LMWH; therefore, the amount of drainage was significantly greater in the latter group (p=0.013).

Conclusions: Mechanical compression alone for prophylaxis against DVT and PE after TKA can be an attractive option in Korean patients.

Keywords: Arthroplasty; Intermittent pneumatic compression device; Knee; Mechanical; Prophylaxis; Thromboembolism.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported

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