THE EFFECT OF GRADUATED COMPRESSION STOCKINGS ON LOWER-LIMB VENOUS HEMODYNAMICS

Objectives: To compare the effect of four types of thigh-length gradua ted compression stockings (GCS) on lower limb venous blood flow using strain-gauge plethysmography (SGP). Design: A randomized controlled st udy. Setting: Inpatient Orthopaedic Centre. Patients: 200 preoperative patients admitted for elective lower limb orthopaedic surgery. Interv entions: Patients were randomized to five groups to wear one of four t ypes of GCS or no stocking (control). Resting venous flow parameters w ere measured prior to application of GCS and after 20 min bed rest wit h the stockings in situ. Main outcome measures: Effects on resting ven ous capacitance (Vc) and venous outflow (Vo). Results: In the control group 20 min bed rest had no effect on the parameters studied. Both Vc and Vo were significantly increased (p<0.001) in all the groups weari ng stockings. There was a significant variation in the changes in outf low produced by the different stocking types (p<0.05). Conclusions: GC S have a beneficial effect on lower limb venous outflow, preventing ve nous stasis, an important factor in the development of deep venous thr ombosis. This effect varies depending on which type of stocking is use d.