Is it necessary to use chemoprophylaxis in Indian patients after hip surgery?

AIM

To know the incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis after hip surgery in Indian patients.

METHOD

Our study comprises 108 patients undergoing major lower limb orthopaedic surgery. Evaluation by colour Doppler ultrasonography to detect DVT was performed on both lower limbs between seventh and 14th postoperative day. There were 15 total hip replacements (THR), 50 bipolar hemiarthroplasties and 43 proximal femoral fixations by intra-/extra-medullary implant. Only 17 (15.74%) patients showed Colour Doppler evidence of DVT without any complication.

RESULTS

In THR patients, incidence of DVT is 20%; in bipolar hemiarthoplasty, it is 16%; and in the proximal femoral fixation, it is 13.95%. No case developed pulmonary embolism, and the current figure for the incidence of DVT is 15.74%.

CONCLUSIONS

From our study, it appears to be the difference in incidence of DVT in our country and in western countries, but incidence is not rare. Hence, chemoprophylaxis is necessary in Indian patients.