Massive retroperitoneal hematoma during enoxaparin treatment of pulmonary embolism after primary total hip arthroplasty: case reports and review of the literature.

In light of the increasing use of enoxaparin for both prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic disease, the number of potential complications from this anticoagulant will also continue to increase. This article presents the first case of massive retroperitoneal hematoma during enoxaparin treatment of pulmonary embolism after a primary total hip arthroplasty and discusses several unique sequelae of the retroperitoneal hematoma. Retroperitoneal hematomas are often fatal, and treatment involves aggressive fluid resuscitation with possible surgical decompression.