Venous thromboembolism is a serious complication that may follow fractures. The most commonly used anticoagulant treatment is low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). There are some studies showing that this drug may interfere on bone metabolism. With the objective of evaluating the LMWH influence on the process of bony callus formation, we conducted an experimental study on rats. Sample was constituted of 22 Wistar male rats, which were submitted to diaphyseal fracture on their right femurs. They were divided into two groups of 11 subjects each. In the control group, the animals received saline solution and in the study group, they received LMWH - enoxaparin - in a daily basis, during 28 days. After that period, the rats were submitted to euthanasia for femur assessment purposes. At the macroscopic study, union was verified in 11 animals (100%) not receiving enoxaparin, and in 10 animals (90.9%) receiving the study drug. At the histological study, the formation of bony callus was verified in all femurs. It was concluded by this experiment that enoxaparin does not cause changes on the bone union process in Wistar rats' femurs.
Venous Thrombosis; Fractures; Heparin; Low-Molecular-Weight; Enoxaparin
