O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a importância relativa dos diferentes estabilizadores estáticos do canto póstero-lateral do joelho. Para isso foram utilizados 10 joelhos de cadáveres que foram submetidos a testes biomecânicos com a aplicação de forças para a deformação em varo e em rotação externa. Os joelhos foram testados em quatro situações diferentes e sempre na mesma seqüência: com a articulação íntegra, após a secção do ligamento colateral lateral, após a secção do ligamento colateral lateral e do complexo poplíteo-fibular (tendão do poplíteo + ligamento poplíteo-fibular) e após a secção do ligamento colateral lateral, do complexo poplíteo-fibular e da cápsula póstero-lateral. Os testes foram feitos com os joelhos em extensão, em 30 e em 60 graus de flexão. Os parâmetros estudados foram a deformação angular e a rigidez durante a aplicação do momento de flexão (varo) de 15 N.m e do momento de torção (rotação externa) de 6 N.m. A análise estatística foi realizada com o teste de comparações múltiplas de Tukey. Através da análise dos resultados obtidos com os testes biomecânicos e comparando os valores obtidos nas quatro situações estudadas entre si, foi possível interpretar a função específica de cada estrutura do canto póstero-lateral do joelho, em cada ângulo de flexão testado. Neste estudo, o ligamento colateral lateral foi importante na estabilização do joelho para o varo em extensão, em 30 e em 60 graus de flexão. O complexo poplíteo-fibular foi a estrutura mais importante na estabilização do joelho para a rotação externa, dentre as estruturas avaliadas, atuando em todos os ângulos de flexão testados. Além disto, complexo poplíteo-fibular foi importante na estabilização para o varo quando o joelho se encontrava em 30 e em 60 graus de flexão. Já a cápsula póstero-lateral foi importante na estabilização para o varo e para a rotação externa quando o joelho se encontrava em extensão, perdendo sua função à medida que o joelho foi flexionado. Em 30 graus de flexão, a cápsula póstero-lateral foi importante apenas para a estabilização em varo do joelho. / The purpose of this study was to evaluate, in cadaver knees, the relative importance of the different static stabilizers of the posterolateral corner of the knee. Tests were performed with the application of a varus and external rotation force to the knee in extension, 30 and 60 degrees of flexion, using 10 cadaver knees. The forces were applied initially to an intact knee and then repeated after a selective sectioning of the ligaments: section of the lateral collateral ligament; section of the lateral collateral ligament and the popliteofibular complex; and section of the lateral collateral ligament, the popliteofibular complex and the posterolateral capsule. The parameters studied were the angular deformity and rigidity while the knees were being submitted to a 15 newton-meter varus torque and a 6 newton-meter external tibial torque. Statistical analysis was performed using the ANOVA and Tukey tests. Our findings showed that the lateral collateral ligament was important in varus stability at 0, 30 and 60 degrees; the popliteus-fibular complex was the most important structure in external rotation stability at all angles of flexion and was also important for varus stability at 30 and 60 degrees; the posterolateral capsule was important for varus stability at 0 and 30 degrees, and for external rotation stability in extension.

Orientador: Sérgio Rocha Piedade / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T00:56:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Takaes_IgorGiglio_D.pdf: 3495607 bytes, checksum: 997a8e42e41218f941a9801fb74230d6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: INTRODUÇÃO: A Avaliação pós-operatória das lesões ligamentares do joelho realizada por escores clínicos, na maioria das vezes, privilegia a análise subjetiva e não fornece dados do equilíbrio muscular. A dinamometria isocinética fornece dados objetivos do déficit e equilíbrio muscular do joelho e aprimora a análise e a interpretação dos resultados pós-operatórios. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o equilíbrio funcional do joelho pela dinamometria após reconstrução do complexo bicruzado e sua correlação com escores clínicos. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 21 pacientes (16 homens e 05 mulheres), com idade media de 33 anos, IMC médio de 26,2 ± 3.4. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à reconstrução cirúrgica do LCP e do LCA em dois tempos, com intervalo médio de 03 meses entre os procedimentos. Com tempo mínimo de 01 ano de pós-operatório, foi realizada a análise isocinética dos joelhos e aplicado o escore de Lysholm, Tegner e SF-36. Os testes isocinéticos foram conduzidos a 05 repetições nas velocidades de 60º/s e 180º/s e 15 repetições a 300º/s. RESULTADOS: A média do escore de Lysholm foi 82,6 ± 16,9 pontos, enquanto o escore de Tegner apresentou redução de 38,6% comparada ao nível pré-lesão. Foram obtidos os seguintes valores médios no SF- 36 nos itens: capacidade funcional (70,71); limitação por aspectos físicos (58,33); dor (73,79); aspectos gerais de saúde (80,71); vitalidade (72,0); aspectos sociais (85,12); aspectos emocionais (85,7); e saúde mental (76,76). Na avaliação isocinética, o lado operado apresentou déficit de torque extensor médio de 20 % a 60º/s, 15% a 180º/s e 14% a 300º/s, enquanto no torque flexor o déficit médio foi de 11% a 60º/s, 12% a 180º/s e 12% a 300º/s. Embora tenha sido registrado menor valor médio de torque nos joelhos operados comparado aos joelhos controle, não houve diferenças estatísticas com relação ao equilíbrio funcional do joelho (isquiotibiais/quadríceps). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados isocinéticos da reconstrução do complexo bicruzado realizada em dois tempos evidenciaram déficit do torque extensor e flexor no lado operado. Embora, nenhum paciente tenha retornado ao nível pré-lesão, o equilíbrio funcional do joelho (flexor-extensor) pode ter contribuído para avaliação subjetiva regular nos escores clínicos / Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Postoperative evaluation of knee ligament injuries made by clinical scores, in most cases, favors the subjective analysis of the data and does not provide muscular balance. Isokinetic dynamometry provides torque deficit and knee muscle balance and thus enhances analysis and interpretation of clinical results after surgery. OBJECTIVES: To assess the functional balance of the knee after bicruciate reconstruction and its correlation with clinical scores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 21 patients (16 men and 05 women), mean age 33 years, mean BMI of 26.2 ± 3.4. All patients underwent surgical reconstruction of the PCL and ACL in two stages, with a mean interval of 03 months between the procedures. With a minimum of one year postoperatively, the analysis was performed isokinetic knee and applied the Lysholm score, Tegner and SF-36. The isokinetic tests were conducted to 05 repetitions at 60°/s and 180°/s and 15 repetitions at 300°/s. RESULTS: The Lysholm score was 82.6 ± 16.9 points and Tegner scores showed a deficit of 38,6% compared to pre-injury level. We obtained the following average values in items of SF-36: functional capacity (70.71); limitations due to physical aspects (58.33); pain (73.79), general health (80.71), vitality 72, social aspects (85.12), emotional aspects (85.7) and mental health (76.76). In isokinetic evaluation, the deficit of the operated quadriceps average torque was 20% at 60 º/s, 180°/s at 15% and 14% up to 300°/s, while the average flexor torque deficit was 11% at 60°/s, 12% at 180°/s and 12% at 300º /s. Although, it was registered that operated knees presented a minor mean values of torque compared to the control knees, no difference was founded to the knee functional balance (hamstrings/quadriceps). CONCLUSION: The results of isokinetic bicruciate reconstruction, performed at two stages, showed a deficit of extensor and flexor torque in the operated side. Although no patient has returned to pre-injury level, the functional balance of the knee (flexor-extensor) may have contributed to the good subjective Lysholm score / Doutorado / Fisiopatologia Cirúrgica / Doutor em Ciências

A articulação do joelho tem sido vastamente estudada nas ultimas décadas. Este intenso interesse pode ser visto sob o foco da complexidade desta articulação e de sua importância clínica. No entanto, nota-se escassa informação a respeito de aspectos morfológicos e ultraestruturais sobre o desenvolvimento desta articulação, em fetos humanos de diferentes faixas etárias, o que poderia servir de base teórica para estratégias de reparo da cartilagem e engenharia de tecidos, bem como contribuir para uma melhor compreensão de doenças e malformações ao longo do desenvolvimento dos componentes articulares. Desse modo, considerando-se a importância do conhecimento sobre aspectos morfofuncionais do desenvolvimento normal dos tecidos cartilagíneos na articulação do joelho humano, realizou-se a presente pesquisa com fetos humanos abrangendo a faixa etária da 16ª a 31ª semanas de vida intrauterina. Foram utilizados 20 fetos, os quais foram divididos em 4 grupos (n=5) da seguinte forma: grupo 1 (G1): 16-19 semanas de vida intrauterina (VIU); grupo 2 (G2): 20-23 semanas VIU; grupo 3 (G3): 24-27 semanas VIU e grupo 4 (G4): 28-31 semanas VIU, em que foram realizadas análises morfométricas da cartilagem das epífises do fêmur e tíbia na articulação do joelho, para os parâmetros: área dos condrócitos, densidade de condrócitos e matriz extracelular, análise estereológica para o volume dos condrócitos, e análise qualitativa da distribuição, organização e tipificação de fibras colágenas com uso de Picro-sirius sob análise com luz polarizada. Também se analisou a ultraestrutura através de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Frente à metodologia proposta e os resultados obtidos a respeito da avaliação morfofuncional, concluiu-se que a área e o volume dos condrócitos, bem como a densidade da matriz extracelular, na região média das epífises cartilagíneas, tanto do fêmur quanto da tíbia, aumentaram com o avançar da faixa etária, enquanto a densidade dos condrócitos diminuiu. Na região média das epífises, a cartilagem imatura dos fetos mais jovens, inicialmente com características de uma zona de proliferação, passa a apresentar, em fetos com idade mais avançada, características de uma zona de maturação, com condrócitos maiores e mais distantes uns dos outros. Na camada superficial da epífise a organização e orientação das fibras de colágeno modificam-se nos diferentes grupos, passando de uma orientação irregular no grupo dos fetos mais jovens, para uma organização pantográfica no grupo de fetos mais desenvolvidos. Finalmente, verifica-se a clara relação entre o amadurecimento da cartilagem e as alterações na organização e orientação das fibras colágenas, as quais contribuem para as propriedades requeridas na cartilagem em cada fase de seu desenvolvimento, tais como resistência à tensão, resistência à compressão e habilidade para distribuir cargas / The knee joint has been widely studied in recent decades. This intense interest can be seen from the perspective of the joint complexity and its clinical importance. However, there is little information about morphological and ultrastructural aspects of the development of this joint, particularly in human fetuses within different age, which could serve as a theoretical basis for cartilage repair strategies and tissue engineering, as well as contributing for a better understanding of diseases and malformation during the development of joint components. Thus, considering the importance of morphological and functional aspects of normal cartilaginous tissue development in the human knee joint, this research was performed with human fetuses covering the age range 16 to 31 weeks of intrauterine life. Twenty (20) fetuses were divided into 4 groups (n = 5) as follows: Group 1 (G1): 16-19 weeks, Group 2 (G2): 20-23 weeks, Group 3 (G3): 24-27 weeks and Group 4 (G4): 28-31 weeks. For the femoral and tibial epiphysis cartilage in the knee joint, it was performed morphometric analysis regarding area of chondrocytes, percent density of chondrocytes and extracellular matrix, stereological analysis of the chondrocytes volume and qualitative analysis of the distribution, organization and characterization of collagen fibers using picrosirius staining under analysis with polarized light. It was also analyzed the ultrastructure by scanning electron microscopy. Facing the proposed methodology and the results regarding the morphological evaluation of the middle region of both femur and tibia epiphysis, it was concluded that the area and the volume of the chondrocytes, as well as the density of extracellular matrix increased with advancing age, while the percent density of chondrocytes decreased. In the middle region of the epiphysis, immature cartilage of younger fetuses, initially with characteristics of a proliferation zone starts to present, in older fetuses, characteristics of maturation zone, presenting larger chondrocytes and more distant from each other. In the epiphysis cartilage surface, the organization and orientation of the collagen fibers changed in different groups, from an irregular orientation in the younger fetuses group, to a pantograph organization in the most developed fetuses group. Finally, it was observed the relationship between the cartilage development and the changes in the collagen fibers organization and orientation in order to obtain the cartilage properties required at each stage of the development, such as tensile strength, resistance to compression and ability to distribute loads

L’arthrose est un véritable problème de santé publique. Plus de dix millions de personnes sont atteintes en France et 35 millions aux États-Unis. L’arthrose du genou représente 35% du nombre total d’arthrose avec plus de 1,3 million de patients en Europe. Il existe de nos jours plusieurs solutions permettant de traiter l’arthrose du genou, suivant le caractère dégénératif de la maladie, allant du traitement chirurgical conservateur, tel que l’ostéotomie supérieure du tibia, jusqu’au traitement chirurgical prothétique, tel que l’arthroplastie totale du genou. Le succès à long terme de ces interventions repose (1) sur le contrôle de l’alignement du membre inférieur au cours de l’intervention, réalisé par l’intermédiaire de l’angle HKA entre les centres hanche, genou et cheville, et (2) sur une planification chirurgicale permettant de préparer l’intervention, et notamment, définir la position optimale des coupes osseuses pour la mise en place d’une prothèse à partir de modèles 3D de l’os du patient issus d’images tomodensitométriques (TDM) ou IRM. Nous nous sommes intéressés, dans un premier temps, à l’étude et l’évaluation, dans un contexte clinique, de la précision et la robustesse des techniques utilisées en chirurgie assistée par ordinateur pour la localisation du centre hanche, nécessaire au calcul de l’angle HKA. Nous avons ainsi proposé une nouvelle méthode, mini-invasive, et particulièrement adaptée pour l’ostéotomie supérieure du tibia. Nous nous sommes ensuite intéressés aux méthodes de segmentation permettant d’extraire la surface osseuse du genou à partir d’IRM pour la phase de planification. Nous avons également proposé une nouvelle approche, automatique, qui se base sur des modèles actifs de forme ou Active Shape Model (ASM). Compte tenu des résultats très encourageants, l’intégration de nos contributions en routine clinique pourrait, potentiellement, améliorer le service médical rendu pour le traitement de l’arthrose du genou. / Osteoarthritis is a real public health problem. More than ten million people are affected by osteoarthritis in France and 35 million in the United States. Knee Osteoarthritis represents 35% of the total number of osteoarthritis with more than 1.3 million patients in Europe. Today, there are several solutions to treat knee osteoarthritis depending on the degenerative nature of the disease : from conservative surgical treatment, such as High tibia Osteotomy (HTO), to prosthetic surgical treatment, such as Total Knee arthroplasty (TKA). The long-term success of these interventions is (1) the control of the lower limb alignment, during the intervention, which can be obtained by measuring the HKA angle between the hip, the knee and the ankle centers, and (2) the surgical planning allowing the preparation of the intervention, and for instance, the definition of the optimal cuts for the placement of a knee prosthesis based on the 3D model of the patient bone obtained from computerized tomography (CT) or MRI. We were interested, first, in the study and evaluation, in a clinical context, of the accuracy and precision of the methods used in computer-assisted orthopedic surgery for the localization of the hip center. We have thus proposed a new minimally invasive method especially adapted to HTO. We were interested, then, to the segmentation methods allowing the extraction of the knee bony surface from MRI for the surgical planning. We have also proposed a new automatic approach based on active shape models (ASM). Given the very encouraging results, the integration of our contributions in the clinical routine could, potentially, improve the medical benefits for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Ce travail rapporte le développement et la validation d’un système de mesure pour l’étude cinématique des rotations du genou en 3 dimensions. Pour cela, nous avons dans un premier temps étudié in‐vitro les avantages apportés par un système de mesure de référence par rapport à l’évaluation du clinicien. Dans un second temps, nous avons développé un outil de mesure optoélectronique utilisable dans un contexte clinique. Nous avons réalisé une étude de reproductibilité de ce système pour des mesures de rotation interne‐externe en charge sur une série de sujets sains. Enfin, nous avons utilisé le système en condition réelle lors d’une étude clinique de revue à 2 ans de recul. 16 sujets opérés d’une rupture partielle du LCA ont été revus lors d’une consultation. Des mesures de rotation interne‐externe du genou en charge ainsi que des mesures de proprioception ont été réalisées. / The purpose of this work was to develop and to validate a new device for clinical 3D rotational kinematic evaluation of the knee. With this aim in view, we demonstrated in‐vitro the advantages of using a device for clinical evaluation of the knee. After, we developed a clinical opto‐electronic device. We validated it with a protocol for knee examination during an active weight bearing test of rotational laxity on healthy subjects. Last, the device was used in actual conditions for a clinical study. 16 patients were examined 2 years after an ACL partial reconstruction. Weight bearing tests of rotational laxity and proprioception evaluation were performed on the patients.

L’analyse 3D du mouvement humain repose généralement sur un ensemble d’hypothèses permettant de modéliser et d’approcher la complexité du corps humain. Le but de ce travail de thèse est de s’affranchir des hypothèses les plus classiques (liaisons simples et parfaites de type rotule ou pivot) dans les calculs de cinématique et de dynamique inverse allant jusqu'à l'estimation des forces musculo-tendineuses. La première partie de la thèse traite de la cinématique articulaire du genou à l’aide de modèles cinématiques « géométriques » représentant les structures anatomiques par des éléments simples (sphère, plan, barre). Ces modèles apparaissent sous la forme de contraintes lors des calculs de cinématique (effectués notamment par optimisation multi-segmentaire). Le travail réalisé a consisté à introduire des ligaments déformables par l’utilisation de méthodes de pénalités pour la gestion de cescontraintes. Il a été montré que ces méthodes, utilisées avec un modèle géométrique générique, permettaient une amélioration de l’estimation de la cinématique du genou in-vivo basée sur des marqueurs cutanés (par rapport aux autres méthodes classiques) en introduisant des couplages articulaires physiologiques. La flexibilité des méthodes permet également d’envisager lapersonnalisation des modèles. La seconde partie se penche sur la dynamique du membre inférieur en étudiant l’influence des actionspassives des structures péri-articulaires durant la marche. Le travail a consisté en une étude locale et une étude globale de ces actions. L’étude locale a montré que l’influence des moments passifs ligamentaires reste limitée sur les forces musculo-tendineuses et les forces de contact articulaire. L’étude globale a montré que les moments passifs de l’ensemble des structures péri-articulaires ontune contribution substantielle aux moments moteurs durant la marche et que les modèles de moments passifs ligamentaires disponibles dans la littérature ne sont pas fiables. L’ensemble de ces développements cherche, à terme, à permettre une approche multi-échelle de la modélisation du membre inférieur. Dans cette optique, la modélisation articulaire proposée (avec desliaisons qui ne sont plus ni simples ni parfaites) permet un couplage plus adapté entre les différentes modélisations (de type multi-corps rigides articulés et éléments finis). / The main objective of this work is to overcome the most classical hypotheses used in kinematics (lower pair mechanical joints) and inverse dynamics computation (joints without resistance) including the estimation of muscular forces. Kinematics is addressed in the first part of the thesis by using “geometric” kinematic models consisting in simple elements (sphere, plane, shaft) modeling the anatomical structures. These models correspond to constraints in the kinematic computation (especially in multi-body optimization). The work consisted in introducing deformable ligaments by using a penalty-based method. It has beenshowed that this method used with a generic geometric model improved the estimation of the knee kinematics from the skin markers, when compared to more classical methods, and introduce physiological couplings between the degrees of freedom. Model personalization is also considered thanks to the flexibility of the method. The influence of the passive structure actions during gait is studied in the second part of the thesis. The work consisted in a local and a global study of those actions. The local study showed that the influence on the joint contact and musculo-tendon forces of the ligament passive moments is limited. The global study showed that the passive moments of the whole peri-articular structures contribute to the motor moments during gait and that the passive ligament moments available in the literature are not appropriate. The long term objective of those studies is to develop a multi-scale approach of the lower limb modeling. The proposed articular modeling (with more complex joints) allows a better interaction between the different scales of modeling (rigid multi-body vs. finite elements).

A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, 2002. / The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and relative effectiveness of a topical Capsaicin cream and knee joint mobilization in the treatment of Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. / M

No description available.

Introduction Alternative medicine has been employed in the treatment of several diseases. Listening to music after minor surgery has been beneficial regarding pain control. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the effect of music on intravenous patient-controlled (PCA) morphine consumption after hip or knee replacement. Methods This was an open label, randomized controlled trial. Forty (twenty per group) consecutive patients scheduled for arthroplasty were included. A standardized anaesthetic technique was used, consisting of propofol, sufentanil, rocuronium, and isoflurane. Postoperatively patients were allocated to one of two groups: Group M listened to music during the first 24 postoperative hours, while Group C did not listen to music. The PCA dose consisted of morphine 1.5 mg and droperidol 83.3 ìg with a lockout time on seven minutes. Rescue doses of morphine 15 ìg/kg intravenously every one-minute until the patient was pain free was administered by a nurse according to a visual descriptive pain score. Both groups received paracetamol 1 g intravenously six hourly. After 24 hours the total (PCA plus rescue) morphine dose was recorded. Morphine consumption in groups was analysed using the one-sided Student two-sample t test. The significance level was 0.05 and the power 0.95. Results Neither the PCA usage (p = 0.4138) nor the rescue doses of morphine (p = 0.9163) differed significantly between the groups. Conclusion Although a statistical difference could not be shown in this study, music during the postoperative period does offer a pleasant distraction from this overall undesirable experience. AFRIKAANS : Inleiding Alternatiewe medisyne word dikwels gebruik vir die hantering van verskeie siektetoestande. Daar is al aangetoon dat deur na musiek te luister voordelig is na geringer chirurgie ten opsigte van pynbeheer. Doel Die studie het ten doel gehad om die effek van musiek na heup- of knievervanging op intraveneuse pasiënt- beheerde morfienverbruik (PBA) te bepaal. Metodes Hierdie was ʼn enkel-blinde gerandomiseerde gekontroleerde studie. Veertig (twintig per groep) agtereenvolgende pasiënte geskeduleer vir gewrigsvervanging is by die studie ingesluit. ʼn Standaard narkosetegniek is gebruik, bestaande uit propofol, sufentaniel, rokuronium en isofluraan. Die pasiënte is postoperatief aan een van twee groepe toegedeel: Groep M het gedurende die eerste postoperatiewe 24 uur na musiek geluister terwyl Groep K nie na musiek geluister het nie. Die PBA-dosis het bestaan uit morfien 1.5 mg en droperidol 83.3 μg met ‘n uitsluitingstyd van sewe minute. Addisionele dosisse morfien is toegelaat. Dit is intraveneus deur die verpleegkundige volgens ʼn verbaal beskrewe pynskaal toegedien en het bestaan uit 15 μg/kg IV elke een minuut totdat die pasiënt volgens haar oordeel pynvry was. Beide groepe het ook sesuurliks parasetamol 1 g intraveneus ontvang. Vier en twintig uur na die operasie is die totale morfienverbruik (PBA plus bykomende dosisse) aangeteken. Die morfienverbruik in groepe is geanaliseer met behulp van die eenkantige tweesteekproef-t-toets. Die beduidenheidspeil was 0.05 en die onderskeidingsvermoë 0.90. Resultate Daar was tussen groepe geen beduidende verskil ten opsigte van die PBA (p = 0.4138) en die bykomende dosisse (p = 0.9613) morfien nie. Gevolgtrekking Alhoewel daar geen statisties beduidende verskil tussen groepe aangetoon is nie, bied musiek gedurende die postoperatiewe fase ʼn aangename afleiding van die andersins onaangename ondervinding. Copyright / Dissertation (MMed)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Anaesthesiology / unrestricted

Class of 2013 Abstract / Specific Aims:  To determine the efficacy of apixaban when compared to LMWH (enoxaparin) when used as thromboprophylaxis for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and medically ill patients  To determine the safety of apixaban when compared to LMWH (enoxaparin) when used as thromboprophylaxis for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and medically ill patients Methods: A systematic search of the literature for randomized controlled trials of apixaban thromboprophylaxis therapy versus enoxaparin was conducted using three databases: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library. Data from five studies with 12,938 total patients were analyzed using Bayesian random effects meta-analysis. To evaluate efficacy, a composite of venous thromboembolism and death during follow-up was measured. To evaluate safety, major and total bleeding events were considered. Main Results: The odds ratio (OR) for the composite outcome of thromboembolism/death was 0.66 (95% CI: 0.33 to 1.29) for apixaban compared to enoxaparin, while there was a similar risk of major bleeding (OR=1.03, 95%CI: 0.36 to 3.73) and total bleeding (OR=0.92, 95%CI: 0.64 to 1.20). Conclusion: These results suggest a lack of clear superiority of apixaban relative to enoxaparin. Apixaban is an oral alternative with similar efficacy and safety to existing anticoagulant therapies.