Relationship Between the Incidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis During Hospitalization and the Energy of Injury in Tibial Plateau Fractures

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during hospitalization and the energy of injury in tibial plateau fractures (TPFs). One hundred and forty patients were enrolled between September 1, 2014, and October 1, 2017. According to Schatzker’s classification, they were classified into the low-energy (type I-III) and high-energy (type IV-VI) groups. For DVT evaluation, duplex ultrasonography was performed in the lower extremities preoperatively and postoperatively. The location and changes of DVT were recorded. All patients underwent mechanical and chemical thromboprophylaxis. The incidence of DVT in TPFs was 36.43% and 46.43% preoperatively and postoperatively, respectively. The DVT incidence was 31.75% (20/63) in the low-energy group and 40.26% (31/77) in the high-energy group preoperatively, and 44.44% (28/63) in the low-energy group and 48.05% (37/77) in the high-energy group postoperatively. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups preoperatively (P = .298) and postoperatively (P = .785). The days between operation and discharge (P = .016), blood loss during surgery (P = .016), and preoperative d-dimer level (P = .02) showed differences between the 2 groups. Additionally, 29 new thrombi (14 [48.28%] in the high-energy group and 15 [51.72%] in the low-energy group) appeared and 16 preoperative thrombi disappeared postoperatively. Despite mechanical and chemical thromboprophylaxis, the DVT risk in patients with TPFs remains high. Although the DVT incidence is not significantly different between high-energy and low-energy injuries, the occurrence of DVT should be carefully monitored.