| Abstract: | Systemic and local complications associated with the use of warfarin for deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are significant. Forty-seven patients with primary TKAs considered at high risk for developing thromboembolic disease were treated with a regimen of preoperative and postoperative warfarin. The incidence (n = 2) of systemic complications was 4%. The incidence (n = 6) of wound complications requiring specific treatment or discontinuing physiotherapy was 12%. In this series, wound complications did not jeopardize the end results of TKA. However, such wound complications as may have delayed recovery occurred with a frequency similar to that reported in other series of TKA using different antithromboembolic modalities. |
