Skillman JJ, Collins RE, Coe NP, Goldstein BS, Shapiro RM,
Zervas NT, Bettmann MA Salzman EW.
Prevention of deep vein thrombosis in neurosurgical patients: a controlled,
randomized trial of external pneumatic compression boots.
Surgery 1978 Mar;83(3):354-8

A prospective, randomized clinical trial in 95 patients undergoing neurosurgical
operative procedures was performed to investigate the efficacy of external
pneumatic compression (EPC) of the calves as compared with results in a control
group that received no specific form of prophylaxis for prevention of deep vein
thrombosis (DVT). The diagnosis of DVT was established by the I125 fibrinogen
scan and radiographic contrast phlebography. The data indicate that EPC provides
significant protection against the development of DVT in comparison with results
in the control group (p less than 0.005). There were no known pulmonary emboli in
any of the EPC-treated patients. There were no complications of EPC.