[Prevention of thrombosis in hip prosthesis implantation].

Overview

Deep venous thrombosis is one of the most common perioperative complications after total hip arthroplasty. Systemic anticoagulation has been the gold standard for prophylaxis of postoperative deep venous thrombosis. There is no doubt that early mobilization and the use of pneumatic compression devices decrease the overall deep venous thrombosis rate. Single postoperative prophylaxis may decrease the overall deep venous thrombosis rate to 15-20% and the proximal deep venous thrombosis rate to approximately 7%. However,the activation of thrombogenesis is mainly an intraoperative event. The position of the extremity during the implantation of the femoral component leads to obstruction of the venous outflow. At the same time, the coagulation cascade is activated and markers of thrombogenesis in the blood are increased. By combining intraoperative (hypotensive epidural anesthesia and intraoperative heparin) and postoperative (pneumatic compression devices and aspirin) prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis, the total deep venous thrombosis rate is reduced to less than 10% and the proximal deep venous thrombosis rate is reduced to 2%. Patients with increased risk for deep venous thrombosis should receive Coumadin or low-molecular weight heparin. In addition, hypotensive epidural anesthesia reduces the intraoperative blood loss and the need for postoperative blood transfusion.