Wood KB, Kos PB, Abnet JK, Ista C.
Prevention of deep-vein thrombosis after major spinal surgery : a comparison study
of external devices.
J Spinal Disord 1997 Jun;10(3):209-14

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.

We studied the difference in postoperative thrombotic complications after major
spinal surgery between two commonly used external compression devices. Our 136
subjects were prospectively randomized to receive either thigh-high sequential
pneumatic compression wraps or pneumatic foot-compression wraps. All were studied
postoperatively with duplex ultrasonography and analyzed for leg swelling, the
rate of thrombotic events, and overall subjective patient comfort. The rate of
postoperative thrombosis was 1.5%. The one pulmonary embolism was successfully
treated with heparin. One other patient had a small asymptomatic thrombus of the
saphenous vein. Both subjects wore foot wraps. Subjectively, the devices were
rated as being equally comfortable. We believe that external compression for
thrombosis prophylaxis after major spinal surgery is effective. The particular
device chosen may be driven by other factors such as cost, physician or nursing
preference, and ease of application.