The incidence of deep venous thrombosis after arthroscopic knee surgery

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 2050 arthroscopic knee surgeries performed at The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital from January 1993 to Decemb er 1994. The number of clinically detected deep venous thromboses, with con firmation by duplex ultrasonography, was determined. Prospectively, preoper ative and postoperative duplex ultrasonographic images were completed on 23 9 patients divided into 2 groups: those undergoing nonligament, intraarticu lar arthroscopic surgery (N = 131) and those undergoing arthroscopically as sisted ligament surgery and extraarticular or osteotomy surgery (N = 108). For the retrospective study, the incidence of deep venous thrombosis was 0. 24%. Prospectively, seven total deep venous thromboses were identified (rat e, 2.9%), with five being identified within 8 days of surgery in asymptomat ic patients (rate, 2.1%). There were no statistically significant associati ons or correlations between the development of deep venous thrombosis and p atient personal data or surgical variables, respectively. The difference in the rate of deep venous thrombosis between the two prospective groups was not statistically significant; however, patients who had more invasive surg ery tended to be at higher risk for developing deep venous thrombosis. A co st-benefit analysis did not support the routine use of duplex ultrasonograp hy to detect deep venous thrombosis in patients undergoing arthroscopic kne e surgery.