On the basis of the results of the 11 studies reviewed, thromboprophyl
axis with unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight (LMW) heparin o
r a heparinoid (danaparoid sodium; Org 10172) in patients undergoing t
otal hip replacement did not show any important clinical differences w
ith respect to the tolerability profiles of the different compounds. H
owever, as a result of the great variability in the presentation and e
valuation of blood losses and bleeding complications in these studies,
it is mandatory to perform a direct comparison of the different compo
unds in question in a double-blind, prospective clinical study.