Discontinue Aspirin Before Excisions of the Head and Neck?

Aspirin was associated with a small but definite increase in the risk for postoperative bleeding.

Because of a few case reports of thromboembolic complications in patients who stopped aspirin therapy perioperatively, many dermatologists allow their patients to continue taking aspirin before excisional surgery. Many other surgical specialists, however, do stop aspirin perioperatively due to concern about hemorrhagic complications. In this 10-year retrospective study from Scotland, researchers analyzed the charts of all 711 patients with sufficiently complete records who underwent excisions of lesions on the head and neck. Patients on warfarin were excluded. At the time of surgery, 320 patients had been taking aspirin, and the surgeons were aware of patients’ aspirin status.

Bleeding lasting longer than 4 hours, despite direct pressure, de…

Reviewing Author

George J. Hruza, MD