Smith RC, Elton RA, Orr JD, Hart AJ, Graham IF, Fuller GA,
Rundle JS, Macpherson AI, Ruckley CV.
Dextran and intermittent pneumatic compression in prevention of postoperative
deep vein thrombosis: multiunit trial.
Br Med J 1978 Apr 15;1(6118):952-4

Seven general surgical units co-operated in a clinical trial of dextran 70 and
pneumatic calf compression alone and in combination in the preventing of
125I-fibrinogen-detectable deep vein thrombosis in 305 patients. Both dextran
regimens were significantly more effective than pneumatic compression alone.
Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed in 14 patients, but there was no significant
difference in incidence among the three treatment groups. In patients receiving
dextran there was no greater median operative blood loss but there was a
significantly greater incidence of postoperative bleeding complications.