Enoxaparin-induced skin necrosis at injection site after total knee arthroplasty

• Main Authors: Max Haffner, BS, Nasser Heyrani, MD, John P. Meehan, MD, Mauro Giordani, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2018-03-01
• Series: Arthroplasty Today
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352344117301292

Enoxaparin is a widely used low-molecular-weight heparin for perioperative thromboembolic prophylaxis. Enoxaparin-induced skin necrosis in the setting of arthroplasty has been rarely reported in the literature with varying outcomes and management decisions. Our patient developed skin necrosis at his injection site and thrombocytopenia 10 days following left total knee arthroplasty surgery and after receiving subcutaneous Lovenox injections postoperatively. The patient was started on an alternative anticoagulation based on a high suspicion for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and the wound was monitored without surgical debridement. Our case highlights the key clinical management decisions when facing this potentially life-threatening adverse reaction. Keywords: Lovenox, Enoxaparin, Skin necrosis, Adverse reaction, Arthroplasty