[Prophylaxis of postoperative deep vein thromboses by means of weak doses of subcutaneous heparin (author's transl)].

The authors intend to control with the marked fibrinogen test, the real frequency of postoperative deep vein thromboses (DVT) and the eventual prophylactic effect of subcutaneous heparin in weak doses. Heparin was administered 2 hours before the operation and every 8 hours during 6 days thereafter, each time at the dose of 5,000 U subcutaneously. Ninety-nine patients undergoing major surgery were randomized into two groups of 55 control operated patients and 44 operated patients treated with heparin. The radioactive fibrinogen test was used in 27 patients of the control group and in 23 of the treated group. In the control group of 55, 7 DVT were clinically recognized : the isotopic test was positive in 17 patients. In the treated group of 44 no DVT was clinically diagnosed : 6 DVT were recognized by the marked fibrinogen test. There were no noticeable hemorrhagic complications in the treated group. Low dose of subcutaneous heparin is an efficient and safe prophylactic method in postoperative thromboembolic accidents.