Abstract: Objective Assessing the effectiveness of different therapy time of sequential compression devices (SCD) for proventing deep venous thrombosis following arthroplasty Methods 111 patients undergoing primary arthroplasty from December 2007 to December 2009 were divided into two groups randomly. In the observation group, 56 patients received SCD after operation, therapy time one hour, intermission 6 hour. In the control group, 55 patients received SCD after operation, continous therapy for 24 hour. From the Second day, therapy time one hour, intermission 4 hour. DVT formation of two groups was diagnosed with colour ultrasonography at 7~10 days post-operation. Results In the observation group, three cases of DVT(5.36%) were found, one case in total hip replacement ( THR), two cases in total knee replacement (TKR). In the control group, two cases of DVT(3.64%) were found, one case in THR, one cases in TKR. The incidence of DVT in two groups had no difference (χ2=0.109, P>0.05). In the observation group, 11cases of cutaneous ecchymosis of surgical leg(37.93%) were found on the first day after surgery. In the control group, 3 cases of cutaneous ecchymosis of surgical leg(10.00%) were found on the first day after surgery. Comparing the incidence of cutaneous ecchymosis , the observation group was higher than control group (χ2=6.365, P<0.05).Conclusion Different therapy time of SCD had same effectiveness for proventing deep venous thrombosis following arthroplasty. The therapy of intermission 6 hour reduced incidence of cutaneous ecchymosis.

Key words: Deep venous thrombosis, Arthroplasty, Sequential compression devices