Postoperative deep vein thrombosis in otolaryngologic surgery.

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis in otolaryngologic surgery. The diagnosis was made by clinical examination, a method using fibrinogen labeled with radioactive iodine (125I), and the Doppler ultrasound technique. Only one (11%) patient developed an asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis. This is in contrast to the incidence in general surgical patients, which varies between 28% and 51%. The difference was probably related to the minimal tissue trauma and early mobilization of the otolaryngologic patients.