The effect of anticoagulants on venous thrombosis prevention after knee arthroscopy: a systematic review

The use of anticoagulants for lower limb outpatient procedures such as knee arthroscopy is varied, and questions remain. The authors performed a meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials. The interventions included low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), Rivaroxaban, and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and comparators included no treatment, placebo, and compression stockings. A total of 4290 patients were included. Overall, they found no significant difference between pharmacologic interventions and controls in terms of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (excluding distal deep vein thrombosis (DVT)). There were significantly fewer symptomatic distal DVTs in the treatment group. Overall, the authors found no evidence to support the routine use of anticoagulants in knee arthroscopy.