Prophylaxis of postoperative venous thrombosis in a controlled trial comparing dextran 70 and low-dose heparin.

A controlled, randomized trial comparing dextran 70 and low-dose heparin with no treatment for prophylaxis of postoperative deep vein thrombosis is reported. A total of 168 patients who underwent general and urologic surgical operations participated in the trial. The 125I-fibrinogen test was used for diagnosis. The frequency of deep venous thrombosis was 27% in controls, 29% in patients who also received dextran 70, and 13% in patients treated with low-dose heparin. Only heparin therapy reduced the incidence of thrombosis. Epidural analgesia did not reduce the frequency of thrombosis. In patients with malilgnant diseases, the thrombotic process always extended proximally, at least to the knee. The highest frequency of thrombosis was seen after urologic surgery. Complications did not differ between the groups.