Preventing Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis After Hip Fracture Surgery in Elderly Patients by Acupoint Application Combined with Pneumatic Compression Therapy

Objective:To investigate and analyze the long-term clinical effects of acupoint application combined with pneumatic compression therapy in the prevention of deep venous thrombosis after hip fracture surgery among the elderly.Methods:Sixty elderly patients who had undergone hip fracture surgery from February 2021 to February 2022 were selected as the research subjects.The patients were divided into two groups via drawing lots.Both the groups received nursing care,but the patients in the observation group were treated with TCM acupoint application combined with pneumatic compression therapy,whereas the control group received pneumatic compression therapy.The evaluation indicators included the patients’quality of life and complications.Results:The incidence of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis in the observation group was more than twice(0.3%),whereas the incidence of lower extremity complications in the control group was more than 6 times(20%).There was a significant difference between the two groups(p<0.05).Conclusion:Traditional Chinese medicine acupoint application combined with pneumatic compression therapy is beneficial for the prevention of postoperative lower extremity deep vein thrombosis among elderly patients.In addition,the patients’overall quality-of-life scores in both physiological and psychological aspects improved significantly,which carries significant clinical reference value.

Effect of pneumatic compression therapy on lymph movement in lymphedema-affected extremities,as assessed by near-infrared fuorescence lymphatic imaging.

Previous studies have shown cost effectiveness and quality-of-life benefit of pneumatic compression therapy(PCT)for lymphedema(LE).Insurers,such as the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid(CMS),however,desire visual proof that PCT moves lymph.Near infrared fuorescence lymphatic imaging(NIRFLI)was used to visualize lymphatic anatomy and function in four subjects with primary and cancer treatment-related LE of the lower extremities before,during,and after PCT.Optically transparent and windowed PCT garments allowed visualization of lymph movement during single,1h PCT treatment sessions.Visualization revealed significant extravascular and lymphatic vascular movement of intradermally injected dye in all subjects.In one subject with sufficient patent lymphatic vessels to allow quantification of lymph pumping velocities and frequencies,these values were significantly increased during and after PCT as compared to pre-treatment values.Lymphatic contractile activity in patent lymphatic vessels occurred in concert with the sequential cycling of PCT.Direct visualization revealed increased lymphatic function,during and after PCT therapy,in all LE-affected extremities.Further studies are warranted to assess the effects of PCT pressure and sequences on lymph uptake and movement.