CEMENT AS A RISK FACTOR FOR DEEP-VEIN THROMBOSIS - COMPARISON OF CEMENTED TKR, UNCEMENTED TKR AND CEMENTED THR

A total of 110 total knee replacements (TKRs) was randomised to receiv e either a cemented or an uncemented prosthesis, Postoperative venogra phy at five to seven days was used to compare the prevalence, site and size of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), We also compared the findings wit h those of postoperative venography in a group of patients with cement ed total hip replacements (THRs). The total prevalence of DVT was sign ificantly greater after uncemented (81%) than after cemented TKR (55%) , Both knee groups had a significantly higher prevalence of DVT than i n cemented hip replacements (32%), We found no difference in the propo rtion with proximal DVT in the three groups (14%, 15% and 16%). The me dian length of the thrombi was significantly greater after cemented (2 6.5 cm) than after uncemented TKR (11 cm) or after cemented THR (7 cm) . This difference was mainly due to greater lengths of distal rather t han proximal thrombi. We conclude that the use of cement may affect th e formation of DVT after joint replacement, but does not appear to lea d to an increased incidence.