The prevention of deep venous thromboses after radical or modified mastectomy interventions

With the aim of preventing deep vein thrombosis after radical or modified mastectomy, 100 patients were randomly assigned to one of two different groups: the first group was treated with defibrotide (400 mg b.i.d. e.v.) starting from the day before the operation and continuing for the following seven days. The second group was given calcium heparin (5,000 IU b.i.d. by s.c. route) from day 0 to the 7th post-operative day. Neither side effects nor DVT or PE were observed. The quantity of fluids from the drainages rapidly decreased in both groups from the first day to the third one, while the quantity of blood cells was negligible starting from the second post-operative day. On this basis defibrotide may be considered an effective and well tolerated drug for the prevention of DVT.