title: Incidence of deep vein thrombosis after arthroscopic knee surgery: a prospective study.
abstract: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with subsequent pulmonary emboli (PE) is the most life-threatening complication of knee arthroscopy. Although the incidence of clinically diagnosed DVT after arthroscopy is low, clinical examination is less sensitive and specific than other diagnostic modalities for the detection of venous clot. This study used compression ultrasound to prospectively evaluate patients before and after arthroscopic surgery for the presence of DVT. Preoperatively, patients were screened for DVT risk factors. Eighty-five patients completed the study. Three asymptomatic "silent" DVTs were identified, for an incidence of 3.5%. There was no statistically significant difference between those with and without risk factors for the development of DVT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hulstyn
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Fadale
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Lindy
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ehrlich
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cronan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dorfman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014111:Tourniquets; D014463:Ultrasonography