To explore the estimated value of color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) in detecting the incidence of lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during perioperative period and follow-up phase in the elderly patients with orthopedic trauma.

Forty-five elderly patients undergoing orthopedic surgery in our hospital from January 2014 to July 2015 were retrospectively studied. They were diagnosed with lower limb DVT by CDFI. The CDFI manifestations on both thrombus formation time and location, the embolism degree and vessel recanalization were observed during perioperative period and 1 to 6 months after surgery.

Among the 45 patients receiving ultrasonography screening, DVT developed in 6 (13.3%) patients within 7 days before surgery; DVT developed in 30 (66.7%) patients within 1-14 days 〔(6.03±2.57) days at average〕 postoperatively; and DVT developed in 7 (15.6%) patients within 3 days after surgery, with the earliest thrombosis detected at 1 day after surgery. DVT developed in 20.0%(9/45) patients within 2 months after discharge. Thrombus was more common in distal venous, which accounted for 82.2%(37/45). The highest occurrence rate of DVT was 64.4% (29/45) in calf muscular veins. And 1 to 6 months (3.42 ± 1.42)months follow-up study in 45 patients after surgery showed that the rate of vessel recanalization was 53.3%(24/45).

CDFI can earlier and effectively detect asymptomatic DVT, and is convenient for screening new or recurrent thrombus and vascular recanalization during bedside examination and dynamic monitoring periods. Ultrasonography provides reliable evidence for clinical early diagnosis, assessment of anticoagulate efficiency and can standard the treatment for elderly orthopedic trauma patients with low limb DVT.

Ultrasonography; Wounds and injuries; Bones; Venous thrombosis