title: Effect of low-dose subcutaneous heparin on postoperative wound hematomas: randomized clinical trial on hospitalized inguinal hernia patients in Germany.
abstract: A randomized prospective study of low-dose heparin was performed in 89 surgical patients during and after Bassini-Lotheissen repair. The patients were divided into two groups: (1) Low-dose heparin: 5000 units 2 hours before operation and 5000 units every 8 hours for 5 days after the operation. (2) Dextran 40 (Rheomacrodex); administered during the operation, with an additional infusion of dextran (500 ml/day) for the next 3 days. The frequency of wound complications in 45 the heparin-treated patients was 22.0% (comprising 10 hematomas), compared to only 4.5% in the dextran-treated patients (n = 44 patients). These findings are significant (p < 0.05). Low-dose heparin should therefore be administered routinely only to patients with increased risk of thromboembolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Evangelisches Krankenhaus/Academic Hospital, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kansy
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Treckmann
mesh_terms: D003911:Dextrans / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006406:Hematoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D006493:Heparin