Role of low molecular weight heparin in the prevention of postoperative deep venous thrombosis. Our experience in 88 cases

: In Leriche's "maladie post-operatoire" one of the most frequent and dangerous complications is the deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In general surgery its occurrence is between 10 and 40%, closely related to factors like patient's age, postoperative immobilization, type and time of surgery. Low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) have been recently introduced as a therapy to prevent postoperative DVT in high risk patients. LMWH seem to have all advantages of classical heparin products without their side effects. Eighty eight patients who underwent general surgery were studied in a clinical controlled trial about effectiveness of a new LMWH (Fluxum) for the prevention of postoperative DVT: 44 were treated with Calcium-heparin and 44 were treated with Fluxum. Both drugs decreased significantly the percentage of DVT, but Fluxum seemed to be better tolerated for its single-daily subcutaneous administration.