title: Prophylaxis of thromboembolism in orthopaedics and traumatology.
abstract: In a retrospective study we collected patient data relating to clinically detected postoperative thromboembolic complications before (n = 1710) and after (n = 2212) adopting a protocol for prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A relatively low incidence of clinically diagnosed DVT, four per thousand, before systematic instructions for prophylaxis in 1981 could be explained by the frequent use of dextran as a volume expander in critically ill patients. However, following systematic prophylaxis the frequency of DVT decreased further (one per thousand).
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mäkelä
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Myllynen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rokkanen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001458:Bandages; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003911:Dextrans / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004087:Dihydroergotamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004434:Early Ambulation; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D003911:Dextrans; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; C031388:heparin-dihydergot; D004087:Dihydroergotamine; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin