Thigh length versus knee length stockings in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis.
Above-knee graduated compression stockings are effective in preventing postoperative deep vein thrombosis, but are more expensive and less acceptable than below-knee stockings. One hundred and fourteen patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were randomly allocated to wear above-knee or below-knee graduated compression stockings. Deep vein thromboses were diagnosed by isotope uptake in three of 56 patients (5.4 per cent) in the above-knee group and one of 58 patients (1.7 per cent) in the below-knee group. These differences are not statistically significant. Results suggest that below-knee stockings are as effective as above-knee in the prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis.
Porteous
M J
MJ
United Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
Nicholson
E A
EA
Morris
L T
LT
James
R
R
Negus
D
D
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D003020:Clothing; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013848:Thigh; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000517:prevention & control*