OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of unfractionated heparin associated with mechanical prophylaxis as a method for preventing venous thromboembolism in hip arthroplasty. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 181 hip arthroplasties out of 216 consecutive cases performed over a period of 39 months in our hospital. We excluded 35 cases due to non-adherence to the standardized method of thromboprophylaxis or loss to follow-up. All arthroplasties evaluated completed one-year follow-up after surgery with five consultations at predefined periods. Efficacy of the proposed method was evaluated by the occurrence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism confirmed by specific tests and safety was determined by the lack of occurrence of major bleeding according to criteria established by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. RESULTS: There were four cases of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (2.2%), with three cases of deep vein thrombosis (1.65%) and one case of pulmonary embolism (0.55%). We found one case of severe bleeding (0.55%). CONCLUSION: Unfractionated heparin associated with mechanical prophylaxis proved to be an effective and safe method for preventing venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty, presenting rates of thromboembolic complications and major bleeding within the range reported with other methods currently used of thromboprophylaxis. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series

OBJETIVOS: Estudar histologicamente a vascularização entre um retalho cecal e o testículo de ratos Wistar. MÉTODOS: Cinquenta e três ratos foram estudados. G1, submetidos a (a) celiotomia, (b) mobilização do testículo direito (TD) para o abdome, (c) sutura do retalho cecal ao TD, (d) fechamento da cavidade. G2, procedimentos (a, b e d), com o TD fixado no abdome. G3, procedimentos (a, b e d), com exposição do TD ao ar e retorno ao escroto. G4 não operados. Após 20 dias, eutanásia e histologia. Realizou-se histometria e classificação segundo escore de lesão. Avaliou-se a vascularização testicular, comparando-se os grupos 1 e 3. Considerou-se significativo um p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Diâmetros dos TD no G1, iguais ao G2 e diferentes de G3 e G4. O escore de lesão nos TD foi de 5,83 pontos para o G1, de 3,3 pontos para o G2, não havendo diferença significativa, porém diferentes de G3 e G4 (sem lesão). A vascularização no G1 teve média de 16,9 vasos por campo de grande aumento no TD. No G3 a média foi de 0,96 no TD e 0,92 no TE, com diferença significativa. O peso médio do G1 foi igual ao G2 e diferente de G3 e G4. CONCLUSÃO: Houve aumento significativo da vascularização entre o retalho e o testículo do rato.

PURPOSE: Histological study of vascularization between a cecal pedicle flap and the testicle of Wistar rats. METHODS: Fifty-three rats were studied. G1: submitted to celiotomy (a), mobilization of the right testicle (RT) to the abdomen (b), cecal flap suture to the RT (d) and cavity closure. G1: procedures a, b and d and fixation of RT into abdomen. G3: procedures a, b and d, exposition of RT to air and reposition into scrotum. G4: not operated. Euthanasia and histology was done after 20 days. Histometry and lesions score classification was done. Testicular vascularization was studied with comparison between G1 and G3. A p < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The G1 RT diameters were not different to G2 RT and all have decreased size in comparison with RT of G3 and G4. The lesions score in the RT was 5.83 in G1 and 3.3 in G2 without statistical difference. The vascularization's average in G1 was 16.9 vessels in 400X field in the RT. In the G3 this average was 0.96 to the RT and 0.92 to left testicles. The weight's average in G1 was similar with G2 but different of G3 and G4. CONCLUSION: A significant increase of vascularization was observed between the intestinal flap and the rat testicle.