Total hip replacement was associated with a 50.6% (81/160) incidence of venographic thrombi in the operated leg, frequently originating from the femoral vein due to intraoperative distortion.
Observational (n=160)
What is the incidence and anatomical origin of deep vein thrombosis following total hip replacement?
Intraoperative manipulation during total hip replacement causes severe distortion of the common femoral vein, leading to a high incidence of localized deep vein thrombosis.
Of 160 patients who underwent total hip replacement, 81 developed venographic evidence of thrombi in the operated leg. In 46 cases (57%) the thrombus originated from the femoral vein, and in 43 of these the exact site of origin was defined by venography. In 34 cases (74%) the thrombus arose from the wall of the femoral vein at the level of the lesser trochanter. This region was studied by intraoperative venography in eight patients undergoing total hip replacement, and in every case severe distortion of the common femoral vein was observed, producing almost total occlusion. We suggest that intraoperative damage to the femoral vein results from manipulation of the leg, and that this is one reason why the operation is followed by a high incidence of deep vein thrombosis in the upper femoral region.
Stamatakis et al. (1977) conducted an observational in Total hip replacement (n=160). Total hip replacement was evaluated on Venographic evidence of thrombi in the operated leg. Total hip replacement was associated with a 50.6% (81/160) incidence of venographic thrombi in the operated leg, frequently originating from the femoral vein due to intraoperative distortion.