Incidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis following Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Doppler Ultrasonographic Study

Abstract

Purpose. To investigate the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following total hip arthroplasty (THA) in Singaporean patients. Methods. 197 patients (mean age, 60 years) underwent primary THA (n=155) or revision procedure (n=42) without receiving routine chemoprophylaxis. There were 149 Chinese, 25 Malays, 19 Indians, and 4 Eurasians. Duplex ultrasonography to detect DVT was performed on both lower limbs on postoperative day 5. Results. 15 (8%) patients developed DVT, which was proximal in 6 and distal in 9. Only one patient had pulmonary embolism. The presence of DVT did not correlate to age, gender, race, presence of diabetes mellitus, history of malignancy, smoking habit, fixation type, primary versus revision type of surgery, or operating time. Conclusion. The incidence of DVT following THA in Singaporean patients is low, and routine chemoprophylaxis may not be indicated.