A material of 131 patients, who were to have elective colo-rectal surgery, was subdivided at random into two series. In the first series the prophylactic effect on thrombosis of the combination of low-dosage heparin and dihydroergotamine was compared with that of low-dosage heparin alone. In the second series, the effect of the combination of low-dosage heparin and graduated supportive stockings was, similarly, compared with that of heparin alone. The patients were screened with 125I-fibrinogen scanning. If scanning yielded positive results, phlebography and pulmonary scintigraphy were undertaken. The criteria for thrombo-embolic complications were either deep venous thrombosis on phlebography and/or pulmonary embolism demonstrated by pulmonary perfusion ventilation scintigraphy. Both of the forms of combined treatment reduced the number of thrombo-embolic complications compared with low-dosage heparin alone.

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