title: Surgery and environmental influence as risk-factors for the development of deep vein thrombosis in animal experiments.
abstract: The aim of this experimental study was to determine whether deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in animals occurs after osteosynthesis of the femur, and whether a postoperative drop in air pressure increases the frequency of DVT. Thus, osteosynthesis of the femur was performed in 10 New Zealand rabbits. Postoperatively a drop in air pressure of 300 hPA was induced. After 40 h in the pressure cabin ascending phlebography was performed (Group A). In a control-group of 10 other rabbits surgery was performed without postoperative drop in air pressure (Group B) while in a second control only the drop in air pressure was induced without surgery (Group C). The phlebographic studies showed DVT in 4 out of 10 rabbits in group A. In group B there was no demonstrable DVT while in group C one case of DVT was seen. The difference between group A and group B and C is statistically significant. In conclusion, a rapid drop in air pressure seems to have significant impact on the pathogenesis of DVT in rabbits after osteosynthesis of the femur.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Schimmer
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Largiadèr
mesh_terms: D000399:Air Pressure; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011817:Rabbits; D012307:Risk Factors; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000209:etiology*