title: A randomised clinical trial comparing the patient comfort and efficacy of three different graduated compression stockings in the prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the comfort levels of patients regarding the use of three different graduated compression stockings and to analyse the efficacies of the graduated compression stockings in relation to patient comfort and compliance in prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Graduated compression stockings are very important with other prophylaxis methods in postoperative deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis. In meta-analyses and systematic review studies, it was reported that knee-length and thigh-length graduated compression stockings had similar efficacies. However, there is no randomised study in literature regarding the patient problems and levels of comfort with the use of graduated compression stockings of different sizes and pressures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised clinical trial design.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 219 patients were randomised into three groups (n = 73 in each group). Group I was given low-pressure, knee-length graduated compression stockings, group II was given low-pressure, thigh-length graduated compression stockings and group III was given moderate-pressure, knee-length graduated compression stockings. The level of patients comfort regarding the graduated compression stockings and occurrence of deep vein thrombosis were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The vast majority of the patients (79·5%) in group III and 52·1% of the patients in group II stated experiencing problems during the use of the graduated compression stockings (p < 0·001). The graduated compression stockings were reported by the patients as being very comfortable in the group I (p < 0·001). No findings of thrombosis were observed in any of the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The low-pressure, knee-length graduated compression stockings are as effective as the other graduated compression stockings of different pressures and sizes in the postoperative deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, and the patients have fewer problems while using these graduated compression stockings with a high satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combined use of pharmacological, mechanical and physical methods and patient education is effective in the prevention of postoperative deep vein thrombosis. The use of low-pressure, knee-length graduated compression stockings in clinical practice may be recommended, as the patients have fewer problems while using these graduated compression stockings with a high satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ayhan
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Iyigun
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ince
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Fatih
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Can
authors.affiliation: Retired Faculty Member, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sevgi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hatipoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mutlu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saglam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053828:Stockings, Compression; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: graduated compression stockings; mechanical prophylaxis; patient comfort; patient satisfaction; postoperative deep vein thrombosis