Thrombosis following hip arthroplasty. A study using phlebography and 125I-fibrinogen test.

Venous thrombosis after hip arthroplasty was studied using the 125I-fibrinogen test and phlebography. Eight out of ten dextran-treated and six out of ten control patients developed thrombosis. The thrombi were small and most frequently dorsal and dorso-lateral veins were involved. There were no thigh thrombi without concurrent calf thrombi. Half of the thrombi were found within the first postoperative week whereas the remainder occurred later. Preoperative venous pathology predisposed to postoperative thrombosis.