Thromboprophylaxis for acetabular injuries in the UK What prophylaxis is used?

Methods and Guidelines for Venous Thromboembolism Prevention in Polytrauma Patients with Pelvic and Acetabular Fractures

Sequential compression devices and chemical prophylaxis are the standard venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention for trauma patients with acetabular and pelvic fractures. Current chemical pharmacological contemplates the use of heparins or fondaparinux. Other anticoagulants include coumarins and aspirin, however these oral agents can be challenging to administer and may need monitoring. When contraindications to anticoagulation in high-risk patients are present, prophylactic inferior vena cava filters can be an option to prevent pulmonary emboli. Unfortunately strong evidence about the most effective method, and the timing of their commencement, in patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures remains controversial.

Thrombo-prophylaxis in pelvic and acetabular trauma patients: a UK consensus?

AIMS

The incidence of deep vein thrombosis, non-fatal pulmonary embolism and fatal pulmonary embolism may be as high as 61%, 10% and 2%, respectively, in patients with pelvic and acetabular injuries. A survey of the pelvic and acetabular units across the United Kingdom was performed to ascertain the thrombo-prophylaxis policy for these patients. In particular, questions were asked about different regimes on post-operative patients, conservatively managed patients and those simply discussed over the telephone. We enquired about their known rates of DVT and PE and their methods of data collection.

METHODS

Postal questionnaires were sent to 22 pelvic and acetabular trauma centres around the United Kingdom.

RESULTS

Replies from 18 units were received in which a total of 837 operations are performed per year. Forty-five percent of pelvic and acetabular units do not routinely prescribe chemical prophylaxis for post-operative patients and 56% do not prescribe prophylaxis for conservatively managed patients. The policy of the remaining units showed no consistency in duration or agent. Fifty-three percent of units use a database to collect information related to the numbers of patients operated up on. Forty-seven percent have no defined method for collecting DVT and PE numbers. For this reason, reported rates of proximal DVT, non-fatal PE and fatal PE were below that expected at 2.5%, 0.8% and 0.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite high rates of thrombo-embolic complications in patients with pelvic and acetabular injuries there is no UK consensus on prescribing prophylaxis.

Acetabular fractures in the UK. What are the numbers?

We have established a nationwide directory of the specialist surgical units and their Lead Consultants with expertise in acetabular fracture surgery throughout the UK. Our directory has facilitated an estimation of the total numbers of operative acetabular fracture cases managed annually in the UK, as reported by those actually providing this specialist service. Previously the total number of acetabular injuries admitted and operated on in the UK was not known and there was no directory of acetabular surgeons in the UK. The introduction and accuracy of the OPCS codings will have massive financial implications for the DoH at a local and national level in the planning and provision of adequate health care resources. We have performed a questionnaire study to validate the DoH data for acetabular fracture surgery. Data was compiled using the ICD-10 for diagnosis of fracture of the acetabulum, and the OPCS-4 codes for the surgical procedures used for fracture fixation for the year 2003-2004. The Department of Health (DoH) data identified 44 units that had OPCS-4 coding for acetabular fracture fixation. We had a 95% (42 out of 44 units) response to our questionnaire. A total of 9 units contacted had actually performed no surgery, whereas the DoH coded these as having performed a maximum of 35 cases. The DoH data showed a total of 1825 admissions to 311 NHS hospitals for acetabular fractures, including 258 operative cases performed in 44 NHS hospitals in the UK. Our study has found that 748 acetabular fracture fixation cases were performed at 33 NHS hospitals in the UK in this study period. The total difference between the DoH operated cases and those confirmed by our study was 490. The hospital care for an operative acetabular fracture case may cost approximately 14,830, pounds if the actual numbers are under-reported to or by the DoH are 490, then approximately 7,266,700 pounds has been lost by these centres due to incorrect proportioning of resources.