Detection of Deep Vein Thrombosis with Doppler Ultrasound Techniques in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Replacement

Thromboembolism is a common complication of elective orthopedic surgery and has a high incidence in patients undergoing total knee replacement.4,11,9,11,17,23 The insensitivity and lack of specificity surrounding clinical identification of deep vein thromboses in the lower extremities are well established.6,10,1,18,24 Doppler ultrasound has been described as potentially the simplest and fastest objective method of evaluating venous disease,1 although (p 125)I-fibrinogen scanning, cuff-impedance phlebography, and contrast venography also have been employed/'10'12'17 In this study we examine the accuracy of Doppler ultrasound and pulse volume recordings (PVRs) as methods for detecting deep vein thrombosis following total knee replacement.