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Anticoagulation therapy during perioperative period yields minimal complications

Anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy continued during the perioperative period for facial plastic surgery procedures was found to be safe with minimal serious complications, according to researchers.

A series of 9,204 surgical procedures with patients who continued receiving antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation therapy during the perioperative period was identified and compared with a matched case-control group of patients who did not continue antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation therapy during this period. The study’s main outcome measures were complication rates of wound healing, infection, bleeding and return to the operating room.

The researchers found 42 patients (13.1%) who had taken anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications perioperatively had at least one complication recorded, and five patients (1.6%) had a severe complication. Among those who were not exposed to anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, 52 (16.2%) experienced at least one complication and five patients (1.6%) experienced a severe complication.

No statistical differences were seen in the complication rates between patients who received perioperative anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications compared with those who did not when anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications were analyzed together, according to the researchers.

Compared with controls, patients taking warfarin had increased bleeding and postoperative infections; however, warfarin use was not associated with an increased risk of serious complications such as flap necrosis or dehiscence. – by Abigail Sutton

Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.