Administration of enoxaparin 24 h after total knee arthroplasty: Safer for bleeding and equally effective for deep venous thrombosis prevention

摘要

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness, as assessed by risk of bleeding and incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), of administering delayed low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) after total knee arthroplasty. Methods: A prospective study of 210 consecutive patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty was undertaken. The patients were randomized into two groups: one of which was managed according to a standard LMWH program (LMWH-s group) and the other with delayed LMWH (LMWH-p). LMWH was initiated 12 h after wound closure in the LMWH-s group, and 24 h after wound closure in the LMWH-p group. Results: The total blood loss in the first three postoperative days was calculated and all complications were recorded. The mean total blood loss was 435 and 387 mL in the LMWH-s group and LMWH-p group, respectively (p < 0.01). No significant difference in the incidence of symptomatic DVT was observed. The mean length of hospital stay was 7.29 days in the LMWH-s group and 6.56 days in the LMWH-p group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: After total knee arthroplasty, LMWH-p is safer for bleeding than LMWH-s and equally effective concerning prevention of DVT.