Preoperative lower limb venography in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty

Using bilateral ascending venography, the authors examined 93 consecutive patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty for the presence of asymptomatic preoperative leg vein thrombosis. Radiologic abnormalities were seen in only four patients, and this was not statistically significant (P greater than .1). There were no complications from the procedure. It is suggested that routine preoperative screening for deep vein thrombosis prior to hip arthroplasty is unnecessary but may be appropriate in patients at particularly high risk for thromboembolic complications.