title: Heparin with and without graded compression stockings in the prevention of thromboembolic complications of major abdominal surgery: a randomized trial.
abstract: One hundred and seventy-six patients scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery were randomized to two prophylactic regimens to prevent postoperative thromboembolism. All patients were screened with the 125I-labelled fibrinogen uptake test, and thromboembolism was verified by ascending phlebography and/or perfusion/ventilation lung scintigraphy. In the group of patients receiving low-dose heparin treatment (5000 units twice daily subcutaneously) 12 per cent developed thromboembolic complications. In the other group, where low-dose heparin treatment was supplemented with graded compression stockings only 2 per cent developed thromboembolism. It is concluded that the combination of low-dose heparin and the use of graded compression stockings is superior to heparin alone in preventing thromboembolism following major abdominal surgery.
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003020:Clothing; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011897:Random Allocation; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin