Prophylaxis of DVT with enoxaparin in patients undergoing total knee replacement.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the low molecular weight heparin as prophylaxis against thromboembolism following total knee replacement surgery.


METHODS
Post-operative bilateral lower extremity colour duplex scan was performed on 55 patients subjected to total knew arthroplasty. The scan was performed 7 days after surgery for detection of DVT. All patients were given Enoxaparin 40mg subcutaneous daily for 2 weeks as prophylaxis against DVT.


RESULTS
Two patients were diagnosed as DVT by color duplex scanning and both were distal but only one was asymptomatic. Another patient developed pulmonary embolism and died subsequently. The major and minor wound problems were seen in two and six patients respectively; nearly all complications were seen in obese patients.


CONCLUSIONS
DVT is not a nonexistent entity in our population. Low molecular weight heparins are safe drugs but apparently the bleeding complications are more as compared to Western literature. Larger case control studies are required to determine the true efficacy and safety of LMWH.
Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
Abid Ullah Khan
AU
Niazi
Masood
M
Umer
Mohammad
M
Umar
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D017984:Enoxaparin