Prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis in patients with fracture of the femoral neck: a prospective comparison between dextran and a sulphated polysaccharide.

A prospective and randomized study of 100 patients with fracture of the femoral neck was carried out. The aim was to compare the thromboembolic prophylactic effect of dextran 70 and a sulphated polysaccharide, PZ 68. Deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed using the 125I-fibrinogen test and phlebography, and pulmonary embolism with a perfusion and ventilation scan. The number of thromboses and emboli did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, there was a general tendency for predominance of thrombosis on the operated side. Six patients were excluded in the PZ 68 group because of major haemorrhage.