TABLE IV.

Randomized controlled trials for primary prophylaxis using pneumatic compression stockings

Trial	Surgical setting	Patients(n)	Regimen		Duration of treatment	Outcome	Incidence of vte
			Study	Control			Study (%)	Control (%)	p Value
Clarke–Pearson et al., 1993 33	Gynecologic malignancy	208	ufh 5000 IU 3 times daily pre- and postoperatively	Intra- and postoperative ipc	ufh: 7 days postoperatively, or until discharge ipc: 5 days postoperatively, or until discharge	dvt by 125I-labelled fibrinogen scan, impedance plethysmography; pe on scintigraphy up to day 30 postoperatively	6.5	4.0	0.54
Clarke–Pearson et al., 1984 34	Gynecologic malignancy	194	Intra- and postoperative ipc	No prophylaxis	Maximum 24 hours postoperatively	dvt by 125I-labelled fibrinogen scan, impedance plethysmography	18.6	12.4	>0.05
Clarke–Pearson et al., 1984 35	Gynecologic malignancy	107	Intra- and postoperative ipc	No prophylaxis	5 Days	dvt by 125I-labelled fibrinogen scan, impedance plethysmography	12.7	34.6	<0.005

vte = venous thromboembolism; ufh = unfractionated heparin; ipc = intermittent pneumatic compression; dvt = deep vein thrombosis; pe = pulmonary embolism.