title: The effect of lumbar epidural analgesia on the development of deep vein thrombosis of the legs after open prostatectomy.
abstract: The occurrence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was studied by the 125-I-fibrinogen uptake test in 38 patients subjected to retropubic prostatectomy. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups: continuous lumbar epidural analgesia for up to 24 hours and general anaesthesia with intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Two of the 17 patients in the epidural group (12%) developed DVT in contrast 11 of the 21 patients in the general anaesthetic group (51%). The difference between the groups was significant. It is concluded that epidural analgesia offers a protection against postoperative DVT and is worth further investigation.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005340:Fibrinogen; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D005340:Fibrinogen