A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 12 studies with a total of 2 833 subjects. Ten studies compared wearing graduated compression stockings on both legs versus not wearing them, 1 study (n = 50) compared wearing graduated compression tights versus not wearing them, and 1 study (n=35) compared wearing a graduated compression stocking on one leg for the outbound flight and on the other leg on the return flight. Eight studies (n=1 598) included people judged to be at low or medium risk and 2 (n=1 273) included high risk participants. All flights had a duration of more than 5 hours. No deaths, pulmonary emboli or symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were reported. Wearing stockings reduced symptomless DVTs (high-quality evidence), superficial vein thrombosis (moderate-quality evidence), and leg oedema (low-quality evidence) (table T1). No significant adverse effects were reported.
| Outcome Follow-up immediately post flight to 48 hours | Relative effect(95% CI) | Assumed risk - No compression stockings | Corresponding risk - Intervention - Compression stockings (95% CI) | No of participants (studies) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symptomless DVT: low risk population | OR 0.10(0.04 to 0.25) | 10 / 1000 | 1 / 1000 (0 to 3) | 2637(9) |
| Symptomless DVT:high risk population | OR 0.10(0.04 to 0.25) | 30 / 1000 | 3 / 1000 (1 to 8) | 2637(9) |
| Superficial vein thrombosis | OR 0.45(0.18 to 1.13) | 13 per 1000 | 6 per 1000(2 to 15) | 1804(8) |
| Oedema:Immediately post flight, scale 0 to 10 (0 = no oedema) | - | 6 to 9 | On average 4.7 lower (4.9 lower to 4.5 lower) | 1246(6) |
Primary/Secondary Keywords