Preoperative Evaluation of Soleal Vein Diameter by Ultrasound Is Beneficial for Prophylaxis of Deep Vein Thrombosis after Total Knee or Hip Arthroplasty

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the association between preoperative soleal vein (SV) diameter and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). METHODS: A total of 402 patients were enrolled, with 229 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and 173 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). Ultrasonography was performed 1-3 days preoperatively, on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7, or before discharge and during follow-up. The SV diameter was assessed preoperatively. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to compare parameters between the DVT group and the non-DVT group. RESULTS: 78 patients (19.4%) were found to have DVT during hospitalization and after discharge and 14 patients (3.5%) developed symptomatic DVT. Multiple regression analysis showed that SV diameter, advanced age, and surgery type were independent predictors of postoperative DVT. In the logistic regression analysis for symptomatic DVT, SV diameter was found to be the only predictor. In the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis for the value of SV diameter in diagnosing DVT, the area under curve (AUC) was 0.701 ((95% CI 0.636-0.766), P<0.001) and when the cut-off value of SV diameter was set at 0.57 cm, the sensitivity and specificity of SV diameter were 62.7% and 72.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SV diameter was an independent risk factor for total and symptomatic DVT after TJA. Preoperative ultrasound screening of the SV diameter may be beneficial for the prevention of postoperative DVT.