The purpose of the present study is to determine the incidence, location and rate of VTE following routine mechanical, chemical prophylaxis in trauma/elective patients and to understand what factors are responsible for the continuing high frequency of thromboembolic complication despite the fact that low molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is now widely used for prophylaxis.

All of the inpatients at the orthopaedics ward, Princess Alexandra Hospital (level one trauma centre, Brisbane) between the first May 2009 and 30th of April 2010 with the diagnosis of DVT/PE were included in this study. Patients were chosen based on the diagnosis of DVT with ultrasound or PE with CTPA during their admission in this period which was performed whenever clinical signs indicated DVT or PE.

64% of the included patients had DVT and 42% had PE which was developed during their admission. Included patients had a mean age ±SD age of 56years ± 23 years, 68% were men and 72% suffered trauma. The 18% of patients had previous history of PE or DVT. The incidence of VTE was significantly higher in men at ages between 20–40 .29% of the patients had ICU admission during their stay in hospital. 28%had spinal cord injury, 21%with head trauma, and 36%with multiple bone fractures. Most of the patients had lower limb injury or operation and just one patient was with isolated upper limb injury. The mean period of hospitalization for the included patients were 29 ± 19 days (range, 6–77). DVTs occurred 8 days ± 7 days(range, 1–31) post admission. PEs occurred 10 days ± 8 days (range, 3–30) after admission. Location of DVT was available for 14 patients: 9 (64%)lower and 6 (43 %)upper, with one(0.07%)having both. Twelve of 28 patients with VTE were started on prophylactic clexane (40mg once daily), and six patients were on heparin(5000 unit twice daily). All of the patients with PE had lower limb injury.

Considering the number of orthopaedics ward patients during our study period our data show the incidence of VTE in one year is lower than that of literature and the common standard prophylaxis with early mechanical prophylaxis after admission and following pharmacological prophylaxis when it is safe has acceptable results.