Assessment of risk factors of deep-vein thrombosis after lower limb surgery

Abstract

Background: Deep vein thrombosis is one of the most common condition affecting adults worldwide. The condition is characterized by the presence of blood clots in the veins. The clots commonly develop in the lower limb veins. Deep vein thrombosis is the most common complication after any lower limb surgery and is a prominent complication post-orthopaedic surgery in individuals of any age due to failure of the valves. Aim and Objectives: The aim of our study is to assess the risk factors following lower limb surgery. Methodology: The individuals who fulfill the inclusion criteria were tested using ultrasonography and duplex color Doppler unit examination at 7.5 MHz and 10 MHz using high frequency probes to assess the presence of thrombus in the deep veins of the individuals who have undergone the surgeries. The assessment was recorded on the assessment sheet and analyzed using SPSS statistical software, and the results were drawn. Results: In this study, the individuals were mostly from the age group 59–68 years and a total of 202 patients were included. 136 patients are diagnosed as suffering from DVT following orthopedic surgery. Conclusion: We conclude that the occurrence of DVT after lower limb surgery depends on various factors such as the duration of surgery, the period of immobilization, prior history of DVT and post-operative stay, and various other factors such as age and gender. We found that extramedullary implants have a relative risk of 2.93. Additionally, we also concluded that clinical signs and symptoms are not reliable measures to identify incidence of DVT.