Application Areas of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression in the Prevention of Deep Vein Thrombosis During Dixon Surgery: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Abstract

Purpose: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is common in the lithotomy position after laparoscopic surgery. Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) plays an important role in DVT prevention. However, few studies have compared the different compression areas of IPC application. It was hypothesized that the location of the compression sleeves could have an impact on the effects of thromboprophylaxis.

Methods: In this randomized, controlled trial performed from August 2020 to March 2021, 164 patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic Dixon surgery were randomly assigned to one of four groups, based on the bilateral placement of compression sleeves during surgery: feet, calves, thighs, or control (no IPC). Both lower extremities were monitored for DVT on days 1 and 7 after surgery, using ultrasonographic assessment of mean blood velocity, blood flow volume, and diameter of the common femoral veins. Thrombosis-related hematologic analysis was performed.

Findings: On day 1 after surgery, IPC of the feet or calves was associated with a reduced prevalence of DVT compared with controls (both: P = 0.024; OR = 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01-0.72), while IPC of the thighs had no significant benefit (P = 0.781; OR = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.29-2.55). The prevalence of DVT in the left extremity was lower with IPC of the feet and calves compared with controls (both, P = 0.048). The mean blood velocity in the common femoral vein was significantly increased after surgery with IPC of the left and right feet (P = 0.006 and 0.007, respectively) and calves (P = 0.011 and P = 0.026, respectively) compared with controls. Similarly, the volume of blood flow in the left common femoral vein was greater with IPC of the feet and calves (P = 0.03 and 0.027, respectively). However, on day 7 after surgery, the between-group differences in the prevalences of DVT and hematologic indicators of thrombosis were not significant.

Implications: On day 1 after surgery, IPC application at the feet or calves facilitated venous return and, hence, reduced the prevalence of DVT, especially in the left extremities. However, there were no significant differences in the prevalences of DVT or thrombosis-related hematologic indicators among the four groups on the day 7 after surgery. Chinese Clinical Trial Registration identifier: ChiCTR2000035325.

Keywords: Blood flow volume; Deep vein thrombosis; Intermittent pneumatic compression; Mean blood velocity.