Abstract. This study was done to evaluate the effect of the use of tourniquet and the type of anesthetic technique on the inci-dence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in orthopedic surgery. It was done on 214 patients of both sexes. Their ages ranged between 16 and 98 years. They were divided into 2 groups (A and B) according to the use of tourniquet. Group A included 117 patients for hip and femoral surgery where the tourniquet was not used. However, group B was composed of 97 patients for tibial operations where the use of tourniquet was essential. In a randomized fashion, 116 patients in the present study received epidural anesthesia (EA), while 98 patients were anesthetised generally. Bilateral ascending venography was performed 9-11 days following surgery for suspicious cases. The vcnogram was scrutinized by a radiologist who was unaware of the technique used. The number of patients who developed DVT in the present work was 79 cases (36.9%). The majority of them were situated in group A with an incidence of 53%. In group B, DVT was recorded only in 17.5% of patients. Furthermore, the inci-dence of DVT was higher in generally anesthetized patients (51%) in comparison with patients who received epidural block (25%). Statistical analysis of the results revealed significant re-duction of DVT incidence in patients who received epidural anesthesia together with application of tourniquet.
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