title: Incidence and prevention of deep venous thrombosis occurring late after general surgery: randomised controlled study of prolonged thromboprophylaxis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the incidence of late deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and to evaluate a regimen of prolonged thromboprophylaxis after general surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised, controlled, open trial, with blinded evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital, Denmark.
  
  
  METHODS
  176 consecutive patients undergoing major elective abdominal or non-cardiac thoracic operations, of whom 118 were eligible for evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thromboprophylaxis with a low-molecular-weight heparin, tinzaparin, given for four weeks (n = 58), compared with one week (control group, n = 60).
  
  
  METHODS
  Presence of DVT established by bilateral venography four weeks after the operation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of late DVT in the control group was 6/60 (10%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4% to 21%). In the prophylaxis group it was 3/58 (5.2%, 95% CI 1% to 14%) (p = 0.49).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prolonged thromboprophylaxis had no significant effect on the incidence of DVT occurring late after general surgery.
authors.affiliation: Center for Clinical Thrombosis Research, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lausen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Jorgensen
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Lyng
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: H O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Raaschou
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wille-Jørgensen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000078222:Tinzaparin
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D000078222:Tinzaparin