[Phlebography in recent injuries of the lower limbs. Its role in operative decisions]

67 patients were transferred to a traumatology centre within a mean period of 8 days following an accident in order to envisage treatment of their fractures. Routine pre-operative phlebography was undertaken in 37 patients. It detected the presence of thromboses in 46% of cases. Anticoagulant treatment was started immediately and the date of orthopaedic surgery delayed because of the risk of pulmonary embolism.