Influence of Fondaparinux Versus Nadroparin Calcium Thromboprophylaxis on Clinical Parameters Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

SUMMARY -Fondaparinux has been shown to be as eff ective as low molecular weight heparin in orthopedic surgery, with no cases of heparin induced thrombocytopenia proven until today. Th e main goal of this prospective randomized controlled trial was to defi ne whether thromboprophylaxis in patients with primary osteoarthritis of the knee undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) infl uences clinical parameters in the same manner in patients receiving fondaparinux as in those receiving nadroparin during the fi rst 7 postoperative days. Sixty patients with primary knee osteoarthritis underwent unilateral TKA performed by the same surgeon and were randomized into two groups of 30 patients receiving either fondaparinux or nadroparin thromboprophylaxis. Patients were compared according to the duration of operation, perioperative blood loss, laboratory results and clinical evaluation of the edema during the early postoperative period. No diff erences were found between the groups in the mean duration of surgery, perioperative blood loss, and most of laboratory results. Th e level of urea was signifi cantly lower in the nadroparin group on the fi rst and second postoperative day. No cases of heparin induced thrombocytopenia, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism were noted during the study. Study results showed both fondaparinux and nadroparin to have the same infl uence on clinical parameters during the fi rst 7 postoperative days in patients undergoing TKA.