Graded pressure stockings in prevention of deep vein thrombosis following total hip replacement.

The occurrence and distribution of deep vein thrombosis after elective hip surgery were studied in 22 consecutive patients wearing graded pressure stockings as thromboprophylaxis. The frequency of thrombosis, as evidenced by leg-scan and phlebography, was 59%. Thirty-six per cent of the patients developed femoro-popliteal thrombosis. Thrombosis was unilateral and located in the operated limb, except for one patient who had concurrent leg-vein thrombosis in the non-operated limb. Two patients developed symptomatic lung embolism. Antithrombin III was determined pre- and postoperatively. There was no evidence of antithrombin III consumption due to postoperative thrombosis.