Deep Vein Thrombosis after Total Hip Replacement: Incidence and correlation between DVT and its risk factors

Yoon, Taek Rim; Rowe, Sung Man; Song, Eun Kyoo; Seon, Jong Keun

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and the correlation between DVT and its risk factors after total hip replacement (THR) .
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixty patients (64 cases) who underwent THR from May, 1996 to June, 1998 were evaluated for the incidence of DVT and its correlation with well-known risk factors such as age, body mass index (BMI) , sex, coagulation assay (platelet, prothrombin time (PT) , activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) , Anti-thrombin III, fibrinogen) , operating time and use of bone cement. All patients wore elastic compression stocking and were encouraged to exercise early. Venography was obtained between 7th and 14th day postoperatively. RESULT: DVT was detected in 5 cases (7.8%) . All thrombi were found in the calf vein. All patients did not show symptoms of DVT and did not necessitate treatment. Unlike other reports, we did not identify the correlation between DVT and risk factors.
CONCLUSION
In this study, deep vein thrombosis did not reveal significant clinical problems because the incidence of DVT was lower than that of Western reports. Also thrombi were smaller and were mainly located in the calf vein. However more studies should be done, since there is a possibility of increase in DVT incidence due to the change in life style of the Korean population.