Current UK opinion on thromboprophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery: its use in routine total hip and knee arthroplasty

We surveyed all surgically qualified members of the British Orthopaedic Association as to their views on thromboprophylaxis in routine total hip and knee replacement. The response rate was 92%. In total hip replacement, 13-15% of surgeons used no method of prophylaxis at all, 18-22% did not use a mechanical method of prophylaxis, while 26% did not use a pharamacological agent; 36% believed low-dose anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis to be a medicolegal necessity while 47% disagreed with this. In total knee replacement, 18-33% of surgeons used no method of prophylaxis at all, 20-26% did not use a mechanical method of prophylaxis, while 54-58% did not use a pharmacological agent; 12 believed low-dose anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis to be a medicolegal necessity, while 64% disagreed with this. We conclude that mechanical methods remain a popular method of thromboprophylaxis and pharmacological methods, while commonly used, are not seen as a medicolegal requirement in lower limb arthroplasty and are used less often in total knee replacement.