Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is reported to be common among
patients undergoing
surgery for
colorectal cancer. This
randomized controlled trial was aimed to determine the
efficacy of low molecular-weight
heparin in the prophylaxis of DVT in this high-
risk group and was truncated early in view of an unexpectedly low
incidence of DVT. Between March 2002 and January 2004, a total of 99
patients with
colorectal cancer - selected for
surgery in the lithotomy position - were randomized before
surgery to either receive
dalteparin or no
drug (51 and 48
patients, respectively) during the
perioperative period. Duplex
ultrasonography was performed before and after the
surgery. We also looked for distal
venous thrombosis,
pulmonary embolism,
hemorrhage and any
mortality. No episode of DVT occurred in either the
drug arm or the
observation arm. There was no
death following
surgery. The
incidence of DVT in Indian
patients operated for
colorectal cancer in the lithotomy position was negligible.