Incidence of Deep Vein Thrombosis Following Lower Limb Orthopaedic Surgery at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following lower limb orthopaedic surgery is a well-documented complication with serious sequelae including pulmonary embolism. This study determines the incidence of DVT and evaluates current thromboprophylaxis practices at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo, Osun State, South West Nigeria, from 2021 to 2023. A prospective cohort of 100 patients undergoing elective or emergency lower limb orthopaedic surgery was recruited. All patients underwent lower limb Doppler ultrasonography on postoperative day 5. Clinical risk stratification using the Caprini score was performed preoperatively. The practice of chemical and mechanical thromboprophylaxis was documented. DVT was detected in 14% of patients, with hip and femoral fracture surgeries associated with the highest risk. Chemical thromboprophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin was administered to 42% of high-risk patients, indicating underutilization. Graduated compression stockings were available in only 30% of cases. The study recommends adoption of a standardized institutional thromboprophylaxis guideline, procurement of compression devices, and staff training in DVT risk assessment for all surgical patients at LAUTECH and comparable facilities in South West Nigeria. Keywords: deep vein thrombosis, thromboprophylaxis, orthopaedic surgery, LAUTECH Osogbo, pulmonary embolism