Effect of calf-thigh intermittent pneumatic compression device after total hip arthroplasty: comparative analysis with plantar compression on the effectiveness of reducing thrombogenesis and leg swelling.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two intermittent pneumatic compression devices as prophylaxis against intravascular coagulation and leg swelling following total hip arthroplasty. We studied 121 patients by assessing thrombogenesis using the D-dimer level before and after total hip arthroplasty. In addition, the patients' postoperative swelling was evaluated by measuring the thigh and lower leg circumference. Altogether, 58 patients were assigned to the calf-thigh pneumatic compression group, and the other 63 were assigned to the plantar compression group; the two pneumatic compression devices were compared to evaluate which was more effective for reducing thrombogenesis. At 7 days postoperatively, the mean D-dimer levels of the calf-thigh compression group and the plantar compression group were 8.86 and 9.26 microg/ml, respectively. There was no significant difference ( P = 0.697) between the two groups. However, the increased ratio of the circumference of the thigh, which was compared after arthroplasty, averaged 1.22% in the calf-thigh compression group and 3.19% in the plantar compression group, which was significantly different ( P < 0.01). Calf-thigh pneumatic compression was found to be more effective than plantar compression for reducing thigh swelling during the early postoperative stage.
There is a lack of evidence from randomized controlled trials to make an informed choice of IPC device for preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) following total hip replacement. More research is urgently required, ideally a multicenter, properly designed RCT including a sufficient number of participants. Clinically relevant outcomes such as mortality, imaging-diagnosed asymptomatic VTE and major complications must be considered.