Intermittent pneumatic compression in laparoscopic surgery for prevention of deep vein thrombosis and cellular damage from iatrogenic compartment syndrome

Abstract

AIM: This study is aimed to evaluate the incidence of the postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and the cell damage from compartment iatrogenic syndrome, analyzing two groups of patients operated laparoscopically, one of which assisted with a Sequential Compression Device (SCD).

MATERIAL OF STUDY: A patients’ series submitted to laparoscopic surgery over a period at least 90 minutes. The venous flow in the lower limbs was detected with the Echo Colour Doppler method, and only one of the two groups was assisted with the SCD.

RESULTS: Between November 2006 and October 2007, 35 patients were evaluated, 21 of them wew assisted with SDC and the remaining 14 patients were the control group. All patients had a follow-up was extended for 5 years at the interval of 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, 3 and 5 years.

DISCUSSION: The results were confirmed that the application of SCD is able to neutralize the negative effect of the PNP reducing the possible risk of thromboembolic venous stasis and the improvement of lactic acid and of myoglobinemia are attributable to a reduction of preload. With the use of IPC, it decreases venous stasis, improves venous return and cardiac output increases, preventing cell damage by hypoperfusion.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of a SCD applied to the lower limbs allows an increase in venous return from the lower limbs so reducing the risk of DVT.