title: [Thrombosis prevention in outpatients with lower limb injuries].
abstract: The antithrombotic effect of a low molecular weight heparin was examined in a prospective randomized trial of 204 outpatients (121 men, 83 women, mean age 34.7 [16-76] years) who required immobilization with a plaster cast because of injury to the lower limb. Subjects in group I (n = 99) received a daily subcutaneous injection (36 mg) of heparin fragment calcium throughout their period in plaster (mean of 15.6 [7-66] days), while group II subjects (n = 105, mean period in plaster 15.7 [7-41] days) acted as untreated controls. Thrombosis was diagnosed by compression sonography, and positive findings were confirmed by phlebography. Thrombosis occurred in 24 patients altogether, 6 in group I (6.1%) and 18 in group II (17.1%) (P less than 0.05). While patients with thromboses had a mean of 1.96 risk factors overall, those in group I had a mean of 2.6 risk factors. Patients without thrombosis had a mean of 1.24 risk factors. The rate of thrombosis was higher in patients with fractures (4 out of 27 in group I; 10 out of 35 in group II) than in those with ligament and soft-tissue injuries (2 out of 72 in group I; 8 out of 70 in group II). The severity of trauma is apparently an important thrombogenic factor.--General thrombo-prophylaxis seems advisable for surgical outpatients requiring immobilisation treatment with a plaster cast.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universität Würzburg.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kujath
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Spannagel
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Habscheid
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schindler
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weckbach
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
vernacular_title: Thromboseprophylaxe bei ambulanten Patienten mit Verletzungen der unteren Extremität.