OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ulinastatin (Uti) and low-molecular-weight heparin (Lmwh) on coagulation function and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing hip joint replacement.

METHODSFrom March to December 2010 150 ASAI-II patients with average age of 72.5 (65 - 85) years undergoing hip joint replacement were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 50 each): normal saline (NS) control group (Group C), Uti group (Group U) and Lmwh group (Group L). Group U received intravenous infusion of ulinastatin (10 000 U/kg) at preoperative, perioperative and after operation 1, 2 and 3 d, respectively. Group C received the same volume of NS instead of Uti. Group L were injected Lmwh subcutaneously (3200 U/d) at preoperative, after operation 1, 2 and 3 d. Blood samples were taken before operation (T(0)), at the end of surgery (T(1)), 1 d (T(2)), 2 d (T(3)) and 3 d (T(4)) after operation for determination the values of R, K, α angle, MA and CI, using thromboelastography, and the DVT were also examined through color Doppler ultrasonography at 3 d after operation.

RESULTSCompared with T(0), R, K were shorter, α angle, MA and CI were larger in group C, the values at T(2) were up to the peak then declined at T(4). Compared with group C, the value of R, K were larger, the value of α angle, MA and CI were shorter in group U and group L. The DVT checked by ultrasonography were found in 20 cases in group C, 1 case in group U, and zero case in group L. The differences were no statistically significant between group U and group L.

CONCLUSIONIntravenous infusion of Uti during the period of operation can correct the hypercoagulability of blood and decrease the incidence of DVT after operation.