Objective To evaluate the efficacy of perioperative thromboprophylaxis in lowering the postoperative incidence of venous thromboembolism （VTE） of the lower limbs in lung cancer patients. Methods 164 patients diagnosed with lung cancer were randomly divided into the experimental （n = 82） and control groups （n = 82）. Patients in both groups were treated with interstitial inflatable compression twice a day after surgery.In the experimental group, prophylactic anticoagulation was given by hypodermic injection of low-molecule-weight heparin （LMWH） during perioperative period, and no corresponding treatment was delivered in the control group. The blood coagulation, thrombelastogram and the incidence of VTE of bilateral lower limbs before and after surgery were statistically compared between two groups. Results On the 7th d after operation, the incidence of VTE of bilateral lower limbs was 13.0% （7/54） in the experimental group, significantly lower than 29.6% （16/54） in the control group. The D-dimer level in the experimental group was significantly lower compared with that in the control group （both P < 0.05）. At postoperative 1 month, the incidence of VTE of bilateral lower limbs was 13.8% （9/65）, significantly lower than 28.1% （18/64） in the control group （P < 0.05）. The blood coagulation and thrombelastogram indexes before, 3 d and 7 d after surgery did not significantly differ between two groups （all P > 0.05）. Conclusion Prophylactic anticoagulation by LMWH can reduce the postoperative incidence of VET of the lower limbs in lung cancer patients.
