Incidence of Post-Operative Venous Thromboembolism Using Compression Ultrasonography Following Trauma to Spine and Long Bones of Lower Extremity

Nitin Gupta, Rakesh Bahrgava

Department of Orthopaedics, National Institute of Medical Sciences, Jaipur, India.

DOI: 10.4236/ojo.2013.32019                

Abstract

Background: Venous thromboembolism is an important and potentially a fatal complication if not suspected and treated promptly. Various diagnostic modalities are available to detect Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), but each has its merits and demerits. Compression ultrasonography is a non-invasive method to diagnose DVT. This study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of DVT using compression ultrasonography in the patients who underwent surgery of the spine and long bones of lower extremity following trauma. Material & Methods: All patients who underwent surgery following trauma to the spine and long bones of lower extremity were screened using Venous B-mode ultrasonography and color Doppler imaging. None of the patients received prophylaxis against DVT. The patients were selected on the basis of the following findings: 1) Immediately in patients found to have clinical DVT following surgery; 2) Every odd number of patients who underwent surgery and did not show signs and symptoms of DVT on the 7^th, 14^th post operative day and 6^th post operative week. Results: The incidence of DVT using compression ultrasonography in the patients who underwent surgery of the spine and long bones of lower extremity following trauma was 17 percent. The incidence of DVT has no correlation with various clinical variables. Conclusion: The observed incidence of DVT is reasonably high and it is a potential risk factor for the development of pulmonary embolism.

Keywords

Deep Vein Thrombosis; Compression Ultrasonography; Trauma

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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