title: Thromboprophylaxis and peripheral nerve blocks in patients undergoing joint arthroplasty.
abstract: This study was designed to assess the risk of hematoma related to the combination of peripheral nerve blocks and thromboprophylaxis. A total of 3588 patients undergoing joint arthroplasty were included. Blocks performed included continuous lumbar plexus, continuous femoral, and continuous or single sciatic. The perineural catheters were removed on postoperative days 2 or 3. A total of 6935 blocks were performed in patients receiving warfarin (50.0%), fondaparinux (12.8%), deltaparin (11.6%), enoxaparin (1.8%), and aspirin (23.8%). In this patient population, no perineural hematoma was recorded. Our data provide evidence that continuous/single peripheral nerve blocks can be safely performed before thromboprophylaxis initiation, and perineural catheters can be safely removed while the patient is receiving thromboprophylaxis and/or aspirin.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232, USA.
authors: Jacques E
authors: JE
authors: Chelly
authors: Dennis
authors: D
authors: Schilling
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D009407:Nerve Block; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants