Determination of deep vein thrombosis risk in patients staying in an orthopedics and traumatology clinic

Abstract

Purpose: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is an important life-threatening complication in patients having orthopedic surgery and its risk factors are still debatable. This study aimed to determine preoperative and postoperative DVT risk, its risk factors and their effects on preoperative and postoperative DVT risk scores in patients having orthopedic surgery and staying in an orthopedics and traumatology clinic.Material and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed with 244 patients. Data were gathered with a sociodemographic, health status and prophylaxis for DVT form and the Autar Deep Vein Thrombosis Risk Assessment Scale (Autar DVTRAS).Results: There was a strong significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative mean scores for the Autar DVTRAS (p < 0.001). Advanced age, immobility, history of trauma, high-risk diseases and chronic diseases significantly increased the preoperative moderate and high-risk scores for the Autar DVTRAS. In addition, advanced age, high body mass index, chronic diseases and complete immobility significantly increased the mean postoperative moderate and high-risk scores. Conclusion: The results of the study suggested that the risk of deep vein thrombosis increases in patients having a major orthopedic surgery and that some risk factors affect preoperative and postoperative scores for the Autar DVTRAS.