Changes in blood coagulation during total hip replacement.

In seventeen patients with osteoarthrosis of the hip undergoing total hip replacement clotting factors II, V, and VIII were measured in blood taken from the operated limb and the general systemic circulation during surgery. Concentrations of these clotting factors were consistently significantly higher in the operated limb than in the rest of the circulation. This result indicates that measures to reduce venostasis in the operated leg during surgery may help to prevent deep-vein thrombosis.