The effect of low-dose heparin on blood loss at abdominal hysterectomy.

In a double blind trial, the effect of prophylactic low-dose subcutaneous heparin or saline on peri-operative blood loss was studied in 100 women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Mean blood loss was 401 (SEM 75) ml and 246 (SEM 15) ml in the women who received heparin or saline, respectively. Coagulation studies were carried out during the pre- and post-operative phases in order to assess the contribution of any coagulation abnormalities to operative blood loss. In identifying patients at risk, platelet function tests were of some value.