Prophylaxis of thromboembolism in spinal injuries--survey of practice in spinal units in the British Isles.
OBJECTIVE
Survey and discussion of the current thromboembolic prophylaxis practice in spinal injury units within the British Isles.


BACKGROUND
Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with spinal injuries. A wide range of thromboprophylactic measures have been proposed. The optimum treatment and duration for thromboprophylaxis in spinal injuries is unknown. Different spinal units within the British Isles use different measures despite similar training backgrounds. The present study was performed to review practice and make suggestions on best practice using literature review.


METHODS
All the 13 regional and national spinal injury referral centres within the British Isles were contacted to find out their protocols for thromboembolic prophylaxis in patients with acute spinal injuries.


RESULTS
All units replied. A wide variation in methods used was found in different spinal units ranging from no chemical prophylaxis to oral anticoagulation with warfarin and contrasting views on the use of antithromboembolic stockings.


CONCLUSIONS
All units recognised the risk of thromboembolism after spinal injuries. A wide variety of thromboprophylactic measures are used.
Deep
Kamal
K
Department of Orthopaedics, Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, Kent DA14 6LT, UK. kd3d@hotmail.com
Jigajinni
Mahananda Veerappa
MV
Fraser
Matthew H
MH
McLean
Alan Neil
AN
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin