Bynke O, Hillman J, Lassvik C.
Does preoperative external pneumatic leg muscle compression prevent post-operative
venous thrombosis in neurosurgery?
Acta Neurochir (Wien) 1987;88(1-2):46-8

Post-operative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a frequent and potentially
life-threatening complication in neurosurgery. In this field of surgery, with its
special demands for exact haemostasis, prophylaxis against deep venous thrombosis
with anticoagulant drugs has been utilized only reluctantly. Postoperative
pneumatic muscle compression (EPC) has been shown to be effective, although there
are several practical considerations involved with this method which limit its
clinical applicability. In the present study per-operative EPC was evaluated and
was found to provide good protection against DVT in patients with increased risk
from this complication. This method has the advantage of being effective, safe,
inexpensive and readily practicable.