HEPARIN THROMBOPROPHYLAXIS VIA INDWELLING SUBCUTANEOUS TEFLON CANNULA

The aim of this study was to evaluate the administration of postoperat ive heparin thromboprophylaxis via an indwelling subcutaneous cannula. Fifty consecutive patients undergoing laparotomy, laparoscopy or vari cose vein surgery were studied. Each patient on admission had a 24 gau ge subcutaneous cannula inserted and a conventional subcutaneous hepar in injection preoperatively. The first 20 patients received an alterna ting postoperative regimen of morning heparin via cannula and evening heparin via conventional injection into the abdominal wall. The remain ing 30 patients received postoperative heparin twice daily via the can nula. Patients and nursing staff were interviewed and their preference for either method was recorded. There were no significant complicatio ns with the cannula system. Although it was more costly and nursing st aff found it more labour intensive than conventional subcutaneous inje ctions, the majority of patients preferred to receive heparin via the cannula. We conclude that this is an excellent method of administering prophylactic subcutaneous heparin, especially for patients with a str ong aversion to injections.