Deep vein thrombosis in Indian patients undergoing major lower limb surgery

Thromboembolism remains a major preventable cause of postoperative mortality and morbidity in the Western world; very little attention has been given to this condition in the Indian patients. The present study was a prospective randomized study carried out in 104 Indian patients undergoing major orthopaedic lower limb surgery. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of venographically proved deep vein thrombosis, the distribution of the thrombi and their significance. Group A consisting of patients treated prophylactically with LMWH showed a 43.2% incidence of deep vein thrombosis. Group B consisting of patients without any prophylaxis showed an incidence of 60% postoperatively. The incidence was high in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Majority of the thrombi were distal, involving a short segment of the ipsilateral leg. Clinical signs and symptoms proved unreliable for diagnosing this condition.