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Less deep vein thrombosis due to transcutaneous fibular nerve stimulation in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

It has been known for years that deep vein thrombi (DVT) start to develop during total joint arthroplasty. Previously, we reported effective prevention of venous stasis by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). It is hypothesized that TENS might be a thromboprophylactic tool for the limb undergoing surgery. The purpose of this study is to clarify the clinical efficacy and safety of TENS in patients during total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

Ninety patients undergoing primary TKA were involved and randomly allocated to the TENS or control group. In the TENS group, electrical stimulation of the common fibular nerve, which produced a brisk dorsiflexion of the ankle, was performed for the operated leg during surgery. In the control group, no electrical stimulation was applied. Serum D-dimer and soluble fibrin monomer complex (SFMC) levels were measured before surgery, immediately after surgery, and post-operative day (POD) 1. Ultrasonography was performed on POD 1.

Results

Immediately after surgery, D-dimer and SFMC levels of each group were significantly lower in the TENS group compared with control (p < 0.05). The incidence of DVT was 11 % (five cases) in the TENS group while 31 % (14 cases) in control (p = 0.02). There were no adverse effects related to TENS.

Conclusions

TENS during TKA showed significant effects on preventing DVT. Sustaining muscle pump activation during surgery prevented not only venous stasis, but also hypercoagulability of blood. Intraoperative TENS is a safe and novel strategy against early post-operative thromboembolism, which is difficult to be completed through existing prophylaxis after total joint arthroplasty.

Level of evidence

Randomized controlled trial, Level I.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Mr. Michael Bergin for editing the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare in regard to this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kochi University, Oko-cho Kohasu, Nankoku, 783-8505, Japan

    Masashi Izumi, Masahiko Ikeuchi, Koji Aso, Natsuki Sugimura & Toshikazu Tani

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, Kochi University, Nankoku, Japan

    Yuko Kamimoto & Masataka Yokoyama

  3. Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kochi University, Nankoku, Japan

    Tetsuya Mitani, Tadashi Ueta & Tetsuro Sugiura

  4. Department of Cardiovascular Control, Kochi University, Nankoku, Japan

    Takayuki Sato

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  1. Masashi Izumi
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  2. Masahiko Ikeuchi
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  4. Natsuki Sugimura
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Correspondence to Masahiko Ikeuchi.

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Izumi, M., Ikeuchi, M., Aso, K. et al. Less deep vein thrombosis due to transcutaneous fibular nerve stimulation in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 23, 3317–3323 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3141-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3141-z

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