Low incidence of deep vein thrombosis after knee arthroscopy without thromboprophylaxis: a prospective cohort study of 335 patients.
BACKGROUND
There is little data on the risk of deep vein thrombosis after knee arthroscopy.


METHODS
We performed a prospective cohort study to establish the incidence of venous thrombo-embolic (VTE) complications after knee arthroscopy in daycare, as detected by bilateral complete compression ultrasonography (CCUS) at day 14 (11-17) postoperatively. 335 patients completed bilateral extended ultrasound. No thromboprophylaxis was given.


RESULTS
19 (5.7%; 95% CI: 3.5%-8.7%) showed VTE on CCUS, of whom 2 were symptomatic. 1 patient developed a non-fatal pulmonary embolus during the 8-week follow-up period. There was no difference in immobilization characteristics between the patients who developed postoperative DVT and those who did not; nor could other risk factors be identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Since the incidence of VTE is low and a specific high-risk group for the development of VTE could not be identified, it seems justified to withhold routine pharmacological thromboprophylaxis after arthroscopy of the knee in a daycare setting.
Hoppener
Marnix R
MR
Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Ettema
Harmen B
HB
Henny
Chris P
CP
Verheyen
Cees C P M
CC
Büller
Harry R
HR
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*