[Prevention of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in general surgery]

Among the various methods to diagnose deep venous thrombosis in the lower limbs, the radiofibrinogen uptake test has been mainly used in clinical studies. Physical means to accelerate venous return are of limited use and only in patients at a low thrombotic risk. Antivitamins K are efficient, but surgeons hesitate to use them because of the postoperative hemorrhagic risk. Dextran infusions are quite effective and without real risk of bleeding. The same holds for low dose heparin administered subcutaneously, particularly when combined with dihydroergotamine. Among the various anti-aggregating agents only aspirin may be effective in the prevention of venous thrombosis.