Comparing the effect of unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparin in preventing of deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis after craniotomy in patients with brain tumor

Craniotomy by imposing immobility after surgery is a risk factor for venous thrombosis. The aim of the present study is to compare the effect of unfractionated heparin (UFH) with low-molecular-weight heparin (Clexane) in preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with brain tumor undergoing elective craniotomy. In this randomized، double-blinded، controlled clinical trial from 2009 to 2010 in Isfahan IRAN، 154 patients candidate for elective craniotomy due to brain tumor were enrolled. Patients were divided two groups after craniotomy. In first group (77 patients)، the patients received subcutaneous clexane (40mg/d) 48h after the surgery. Patients in second group (77 patients) received subcutaneous unfractionated (5000 Iu/12h)، 48 hours after the surgery. Data were analyzed using SPSS، t-test and Chi-square. No significant difference was found between two groups in age، sex and underlying diseases (P>0. 05). During the study 14 cases (18. 2%) of subclinical venous thrombosis were observed in UFH group and 3 cases (3. 9%) in clexane group (P=0. 011). No one of the patients encountered with intracranial hemorrhage at follow up. Results of this study show that clexane is more effective and safer than UFH in prophylaxis for DVT in patients with brain tumor who undergo craniotomy.