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Study: No significant association found between ketorolac, hematoma formation after plastic surgery

In a literature review of plastic surgery procedures, researchers found use of ketorolac did not increase the risk of bleeding in five of six studies and was attributed to a reduction in postoperative narcotic use and improved pain scores in all studies.

The researchers performed a search for the terms “surgery,” “NSAID,” “Toradol,” “ketorolac” in PubMed/Medline. After excluding studies that failed to mention bleeding or complications, six papers and 981 cases remained for inclusion in the study.

Once the researchers combined data from all operations included within the six papers, no statistically significant increases in bleeding were noted in the patients who received ketorolac. Furthermore, there were no hematomas associated with ketorolac use among the more than 115 patients who underwent aesthetic facial procedures, according to the researchers.

In those who underwent breast augmentation and reduction, the hematoma rate was 4.3% in the ketorolac group and 2.2% in controls.

The researchers found a significant reduction in both postoperative pain and narcotic use in the six papers, when analyzed individually, among the patients who received ketorolac.

Ketorolac showed no increased risk of bleeding in five of the six studies; however, one outlier was identified, in which a study noted a significant increase in bleeding in breast reduction with ketorolac use.

The researchers concluded overall, ketorolac use reduced postoperative narcotic use and improved the patients’ postoperative recovery. - by Abigail Sutton

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.