Eighty patients undergoing pelvic or abdominal surgery for
cancer were randomized in two groups for prevention of postoperative
thromboembolism: 40 patients received a 15,000 IU day-1
Calciparine prophylaxis and 40 patients a 5000 anti-Xa U/d
Fragmin prophylaxis for 10 days. In the
Calciparine group, two patients (5%) developed postoperative
pulmonary embolism but none developed it in the
Fragmin group. Two patients in the
Fragmin group (5%) developed isotopic DVT, which was not confirmed by phlebography. There was no
deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs in the two groups. Important postoperative
bleeding (one patient in the
Calciparine group and two patients in the
Fragmin group) was similar in both groups. Moderate and minor
bleeding were significantly lower in the
Fragmin group. Haemoglobin and haematocrit changes, total blood loss and transfusion requirements were not different in both groups. It is concluded that, over a 10-day period, one daily 5000 U
Fragmin prophylaxis was as effective and safe as three daily 5000 IU
Calciparine injections.