[From the Cochrane Library: wearing compression stockings during long-distance flights reduces the risk of asymptomatic deep-vein thrombosis].
A recent Cochrane systematic review assessed the effects of wearing compression stockings during long-distance flights on the risk of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). Ten randomised trials were included, 9 of which compared wearing compression stockings on both legs during the whole flight (at least 7 hours) with not wearing compression stockings. In these 9 trials, 50 of 2637 participants with 1 week of follow-up had asymptomatic DVT; 3 had worn stockings, 47 had not (odds ratio: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.04-0.25). No deaths, pulmonary emboli or symptomatic DVTs were reported. Wearing stockings had a significant impact in reducing oedema of the lower legs. No significant adverse effects of wearing stockings were reported.