The prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis with dextran 70

One hundred and six patients undergoing major surgery were given dextran 70-500 ml. during operation, 500 ml. on the following day, and then 500 ml. on alternate days until discharge. Of these patients, I developed a deep venous thrombosis after the operation (0-94 per cent). One hundred and one patients acted as control subjects and, of these, 10 developed deep venous thrombosis (9-9 per cent). This reduction in incidence of thrombosis is significant at the 2 per cent level, indicating that dextran 70, as macrodex 6 per cent in 5 per cent dextrose, in the régime given is a simple and effective means of reducing deep venous thrombosis after major surgery.