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

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.

Comparison of Clinical and Physiological Efficacies of Different Intermittent Sequential Pneumatic Compression Devices in Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis: A Prospective Randomized Study

BACKGROUND: There are few comparative studies about the optimal method of pneumatic compression to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The aim of this prospective randomized study was to compare venous hemodynamic changes and their clinical influences between two graded sequential compression groups (an alternate sequential compression device [ASCD] vs. a simultaneous sequential compression device [SSCD]). METHODS: In total, 34 patients (68 limbs) undergoing knee and spine operations were prospectively randomized into two device groups (ASCD vs. SSCD groups). Duplex ultrasonography examinations were performed on the 4th and 7th postoperative days for the detection of DVT and the evaluation of venous hemodynamics. Continuous data for the two groups were analyzed using a two-tailed, unpaired t-test. Relative frequencies of unpaired samples were compared using Fisher exact test. Mixed effects models that might be viewed as ANCOVA models were also considered. RESULTS: DVT developed in 7 patients (20.6%), all of whom were asymptomatic for isolated calf DVTs. Two of these patients were from the ASCD group (11.8%) and the other five were from the SSCD group (29.4%), but there was no significant difference (p = 0.331). Baseline peak velocity, mean velocity, peak volume flow, and total volume flow were enhanced significantly in both device groups (p < 0.001). However, the degrees of flow and velocity enhancement did not differ significantly between the groups. The accumulated expelled volumes for an hour were in favor of the ASCD group. CONCLUSIONS: Both graded sequential compression devices showed similar results both in clinical and physiological efficacies. Further studies are required to investigate the optimal intermittent pneumatic compression method for enhanced hemodynamic efficacy and better thromboprophylaxis.

Extensive Bullous Complication Associated with Intermittent Pneumatic Compression

Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) device is an effective method to prevent deep vein thrombosis. This method has been known to be safe with very low rate of complications compared to medical thromboprophylaxis. Therefore, this modality has been used widely in patients who underwent a hip fracture surgery. We report a patient who developed extensive bullae, a potentially serious skin complication, beneath the leg sleeves during the use of IPC device after hip fracture surgery.

The effects of intermittent pneumatic compression device on body temperature during propofol-remifentanil anesthesia: A comparison with elastic stockings

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that intermittent pneumatic compression device (IPCD) compression system might induce more decreases on the core temperature by increasing the lower extremity blood flow. This study investigated the effects of IPCD compression system on the body temperature in patients undergoing minor surgery under propofol-remifentanil anesthesia. METHODS: Forty female patients were randomly assigned to treat with either elastic stockings (ES group, n = 20) or IPCD (IPCD group, n = 20). Anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol and remifentanil. The core temperature and arteriovenous shunt in the lower leg were measured using esophageal temperature and the calf to toe skin-surface temperature gradient, respectively. The measurements were taken at 15-minute intervals immediately after anesthesia induction (baseline values, T0) until the end of the surgery. RESULTS: During the study period, the core temperature and skin temperature gradient were comparable between the two groups. The core temperature decreased from 60 min in both groups. And, skin-surface temperature gradient decreased from 15 min in the IPCD group and 30 min in the ES group after anesthesia induction, without intergroup differences across time. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the IPCD system did not affect the change in the core temperature when compared to the ES, in patients undergoing minor surgery during propofolremifentanil anesthesia. Thus, the IPCD system could be safely used during propofol-remifentanil anesthesia, without increasing the risk of the intraoperative hypothermia.

The Effect of SCD Response Compression System on Coagulation and Fibrinolysis using Thromboelastography in Patients Undergoing Gastrectomy; a Comparison with Elastic Stocking / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Among various measures to prevent deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in surgical patients, intermittent pneumatic compression of the legs is known to be effective without increasing the risk of bleeding. In this study, the coagulation/ fibrinolysis profile in patients undergoing gastrectomy with SCD Response Compression System, which detects individual venous refill time, was compared to that with elastic stocking using thromboelastography (TEG). METHODS: Fifty-eight ASA class I-II patients undergoing gastrectomy were randomized into two groups. Patients in ES group (n = 29) were treated with elastic stocking and patients in SCD group (n = 29) were treated with SCD Response Compression System. TEG analysis and traditional coagulation tests were performed on arrival in the operating room, after surgery in the postanesthetic care unit and on the morning of postoperative day 1. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in laboratory data between the two groups. Laboratory data at all time points were within normal limit in all patients. There was no significant difference in TEG data between the two groups. No evidence of a postoperative clinical coagulopathy (DVT or pulmonary embolism) was observed on routine history and physical examinations in any patient during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of SCD Response Compression System in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery on coagulation/fibrinolysis system was similar to that of elastic stocking during perioperative period.