The incidence of deep venous thrombosis in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

We prospectively studied the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A total of 67 male patients (aged 19 to 39 years) were examined by compression ultrasonography to determine the presence of DVT in the operated extremity. All patients were studied preoperatively and 2 to 3 days postoperatively. The area of examination was from popliteal vein to inguinal ligament; no DVT prophylaxis was used. No patient had clotting preoperatively. The incidence of DVT was 1 in 67. One patient had an asymptomatic noncompressible lesion in the proximal femoral vein on postoperative day 3; repeat examination at day 10 was normal. Unless other risk factors are present, we do not recommend routine prophylaxis for male patients younger than 40 years of age who are undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.