The Incidence and Location of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Lower Extremity Fracture Patients Receiving Sequential Chemical Prophylaxis

To investigate the incidence and location of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with lower extremity fractures receiving pharmacological thromboprophylaxis with LMWH followed by rivaroxaban. All patients aged ≥18 years with lower extremity fractures were included in the study. Duplex ultrasonography (DUS) was performed in the lower extremities before and after surgery for DVT evaluation. According to the location, the DVT was divided into proximal, distal, and mixed thromboses. According to fracture location, patients were classified as having fractures proximal, around, and distal to the knee. All patients received sequential chemical prophylaxis. A total of 404 patients with a mean age of 44.2 ± 13.8 years were included. The incidence of DVT postoperatively was higher than that preoperatively and at 1 month postoperatively. Patients with fractures proximal and around the knee had higher DVT incidences detected on DUS postoperatively and at 1 month postoperatively. Most DVTs were located in the distal vein. DVT incidence and severity were the highest immediately after surgery. DVT incidence in fractures around and proximal to the knee increased after surgery and at 1 month postoperatively. Although with chemical thromboprophylaxis, distal DVT was the most variable during the early stage.