OUTPATIENT THROMBOSIS-PROPHYLAXIS DURING PLASTER-CAST IMMOBILIZATION OF THE LEG, USING LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT HEPARIN

Plaster cast immobilisation following trauma is a major risk factor fo r the development of deep vein thrombosis. In our controlled, randomiz ed and prospective study on patients with minor injuries incidence of DVT in conservatively treated out-patients with plaster cast immobilis ation of the leg was 3.9% in the control group (n = 126) without proph ylaxis. By s. c. self-application of LMW heparin once daily the number of DVT in the prophylaxis group (n = 115) was reduced to 0. No severe side effects of NMH were observed. We conclude that thromboprophylaxi s with LMW heparin once daily up to now conspiciously reduced the risk of DVT in outpatients with plaster cast immobilisation of the leg.