title: Does the use of compression garments increase venous stasis in the common femoral vein?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abdominoplasty is one of the most frequently performed procedures in plastic surgery. The impact of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after this operation is well described and is a feared complication. Most plastic surgeons recommend the use of compression garment after this procedure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the venous changes at the common femoral vein induced by the use compression garments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen female volunteers with no history of abdominal surgery were selected. Doppler examination was used to evaluate maximum and average flow speed and the vessel perimeter, area, and diameter of the common femoral vein of the patients using no garments and using a compressive garment and a Velcro binder in the supine position. Also patients were evaluated in the Fowler position. The t test was used to compare the parameters among all situations. The level of significance was stated as 0.05 (5 percent).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of both garments increased venous flow stasis, and there were no significant differences between them. Also, it has been demonstrated that the Fowler position can worsen venous stasis. Therefore, the use of compressive garments can increase femoral vein stasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of compressive garments promotes venous stasis. There was no difference in stasis reduction when using the two different types of garments. The Fowler position increases venous stasis compared with the supine position.
authors.affiliation: São Paulo, Brazil From the Division of Plastic Surgery, Federal University of São Paulo.
authors.forename: Ricardo Haidar
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Berjeaut
authors.forename: Fabio Xerfan
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Nahas
authors.forename: Lauren Klas Iurk Leme
authors.initials: LKIL
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.forename: Jorge Delamar Pegneau
authors.initials: JDP
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.forename: Lydia Masako
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D061645:Abdominoplasty; D000328:Adult; D058128:Compression Bandages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult