A clinical and phlebographic study of postoperative deep vein thrombosis following knee meniscus extirpation

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.