Is venous thromboembolism prophylaxis beneficial in upper limb major joint replacement surgery? A systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Upper limb arthroplasty is an increasingly used treatment modality for end-stage joint disease of the shoulder, elbow and wrist. Whilst complications have been reported, the risk of venous thromboembolism has received less attention when compared to the lower limb. Guidance to aid clinical decision-making remains limited. This review aims to ascertain whether venous thromboembolism prophylaxis is beneficial after upper limb major joint replacement surgery.

Methods

A systematic review was performed in April 2019, utilising EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane and Google Scholar. All clinical studies reporting venous thromboembolism incidence and risk reduction (after prophylaxis) in upper limb joint replacement were included.

Results

Twenty-four observational studies w

SUBMITTER: Kadhum M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8039759 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature