Summary
To evaluate the risk of deep vein thrombosis, a clinical and phlebographic examination
was performed 7 to 16 days after a bloodless knee meniscus operation in 37 male patients
aged 20 to 35 years. Anticoagulant prophylaxis was not administered. Phlebography
revealed asymptomatic calf vein thrombosis in three patients and these were not treated.
In two of these phlebography was repeated after six weeks, and complete regression
of the thrombi was noted.
The present study may underestimate the frequency of postoperative venous thrombosis,
as some thrombi may already have lysed at the time of phlebography. However, our results
indicate a low incidence of thrombosis after knee meniscus extirpation.
Key words
Postoperative venous thrombosis - Knee meniscus extirpation - Phlebography
