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199391

Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism Following Below Knee Plaster Immobilization

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Last updated: 28 Dec 2024

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Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has an incidence between 0.7 and 2.69 per 1000 per year. Temporary lower limb immobilisation after an injury is a significant contributor to Deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Previous studies showed an incidence rate between 1% to 20%. However, the real incidence of DVT in patients with isolated stable ankle, foot fractures and sprains treated conservatively is not well known. Objectives: This study aims to assess the incidence of VTE after lower limb plaster immobilisation and if we should consider giving chemoprophylaxis. Patients and methods: A prospective cross-sectional study included consecutive twenty patients with stable ankle, foot fractures, and sprains managed conservatively with below-knee plasters. There was no national/local policy to offer VTE prophylaxis. VTE Risk assessments were done and documented. After Plaster removal, all patients had a Doppler ultrasound examination (DUE) to confirm or rule out VTE diagnosis. Results: Twenty patients (11men/ 12women) were followed up for at least six weeks. The Mean age was 46.30±17.50 (Range 18-70) years old. Twelve patients had below-knee cast (60%), Eight had below knee slab (40%). The mean immobilisation duration was 38.50±15.8 (Range 15-62). Thirteen patients (65%) had an increased risk for VTE.  One patient (5%), 28 years female, had DVT, scoring only one point of VTE risks (oral contraceptive pills). She was a non-smoker with, BMI of 26. She was diagnosed with a popliteal DVT after removing a below-knee slab for ankle sprain at two weeks post-injury and treated accordingly with no complication. Conclusion: Incidence of DVT after below-knee cast immobilisation about 5%. Similar patients should be assessed, and proper prophylaxis is given to decrease the morbidity and mortality of having VTE

DOI

10.21608/bjas.2021.199391

Keywords

Venous Thromboembolism, below Knee Plaster Immobilization, Doppler ultrasound examination

Authors

First Name

A.E.

Last Name

Abdelmonem

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Affiliation

Orthopaedic surgery, Dept., Faculty of Medicine, Benha Univ., Benha, Egypt

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First Name

M.G.

Last Name

Elashhab

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Affiliation

Orthopaedic surgery, Dept., Faculty of Medicine, Benha Univ., Benha, Egypt

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Orcid

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First Name

A.A.

Last Name

Elsheikh

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-

Affiliation

Orthopaedic surgery, Dept., Faculty of Medicine, Benha Univ., Benha, Egypt

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Volume

6

Article Issue

5

Related Issue

27998

Issue Date

2021-09-01

Receive Date

2021-10-13

Publish Date

2021-09-01

Page Start

185

Page End

190

Print ISSN

2356-9751

Online ISSN

2356-976X

Link

https://bjas.journals.ekb.eg/article_199391.html

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https://bjas.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=199391

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30

Type

Original Research Papers

Type Code

1,647

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Benha Journal of Applied Sciences

Publication Link

https://bjas.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism Following Below Knee Plaster Immobilization

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Article

Created At

23 Jan 2023