Homeopathic Arnica in postoperative haematomas: a double-blind study

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether homeopathic Arnica can reduce postoperative haematomas in venous surgery. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, multicentric, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: 130 consecutive patients undergoing saphenous stripping (204 legs), hospitalized in a clinic. INTERVENTIONS: A homeopathic medicine (Arnica CH5) and an indistinguishable placebo, administered sublingually by a nurse the night before and immediately after the operation. OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical evaluation of haematomas 6 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Groups were well matched (sex, age, history of bleeding or thrombosis, drug intake, previous intake of homeopathic drugs, type of operation and anaesthesia, operator). One drop-out has been replaced. No statistically significant difference in postoperative haematomas was found between the Arnica and placebo groups (p = 0.342). Subanalysis of all other items did not reveal any statistical difference either. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, with this dosage, we did not observe any preventive effect of homeopathic Arnica CH5 on poststripping haematomas.