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Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 87-B, Issue 12,
1675-1680.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.87B12.16298 Copyright © 2005 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery Venous thromboembolism associated with hip and knee replacement over a ten-year periodA POPULATION-BASED STUDYC. Howie, FRCS(Orth), Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon1; H. Hughes, BSc(Hons), Senior Information Analyst2; A. C. Watts, MRCS(Ed), SpR Orthopaedics1 Scottish Arthoplasty Project
1 Department of Orthopaedics New Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France, Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh EH10 7ED, UK. Correspondence should be sent to Mr C. Howie; e-mail: Colin.Howie{at}luht.scot.nhs.uk
This population-based study investigated the incidence and trends in venous thromboembolic disease after total hip and knee arthroplasty over a ten-year period. Death or readmission for venous thromboembolic disease up to two years after surgery for all patients in Scotland was the primary outcome. The incidence of venous thromboembolic disease, including fatal pulmonary embolism, three months after surgery was 2.27% for primary hip arthroplasty and 1.79% for total knee arthroplasty. The incidence of fatal pulmonary embolism within three months was 0.22% for total hip arthroplasty and 0.15% for total knee arthroplasty. The majority of events occurred after hospital discharge, with no apparent trend over the period. The data support current advice that prophylaxis should be continued for at least six weeks following surgery. Despite the increased use of policies for prophylaxis and earlier mobilisation, there has been no change in the incidence of venous thromboembolic disease. This article has been cited by other articles:
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