system
Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODOLOGY, RESULTS. Meshes: Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Bandages, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Postoperative Complications, Prospective Studies, Venous Thrombosis.
user
Should knee-length replace thigh-length graduated compression stockings in the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis? Context: To compare knee-length with thigh-length graduated compression stockings for correct application and rate of compliance when they are prescribed for the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis in surgical patients. Patients who were prescribed graduated compression stockings were prospectively studied in three surgical units at Groote Schuur Hospital from February to June 1997. Knee-length stockings were prescribed in the colorectal unit, while the thigh-length variety were prescribed in the hepatobiliary and trauma units. Patients were observed for the correct application and size of stockings, and the presence of compression bands. A total of 72 patients were studied. One patient in the knee-length group and 7 patients in the thigh-length group were not wearing their stockings. Twenty-one of 30 patients (70%) in the knee-length group and 15 of 42 (35.7%) in the thigh-length group had correctly applied stockings (P = 0.009).
assistant
Knee-length are more likely to be correctly applied than thigh-length stockings. Knee-length should replace thigh-length stockings in general surgical patients.