Deep-vein thrombosis following hip surgery for fracture of the proximal femur.

This is a prospective study involving seventy-two consecutive admissions of patients with fractures of the proximal femur over a period of eleven months. It reviews the incidence, pattern and clinical course of deep vein thrombosis in this group of patients. The method of detection of deep vein thrombosis was that of ascending phlebography of the injured limb. Results show that the incidence of deep vein thrombosis is low and complications of thromboembolism and local complications secondary to venous stasis are nil. It appears that prophylaxis and active treatment of deep vein thrombosis in this group of patients may not be essential.