Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Do Not Affect Postoperative Bleeding

A meta-analysis shows no association.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been touted as an adjunct to or replacement for opioid medications for pain control in the perioperative setting. However, use of NSAIDs has been limited due to concerns about side effects. Bleeding is of particular interest, given that NSAIDs can have antiplatelet effects (which could predispose patients to surgical-site bleeding) and can cause gastrointestinal bleeding.

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 74 studies (spanning 1987–2019) that involved more than 150,000 patients and 12 types of NSAIDs used in the acute perioperative setting across a range of surgical procedures. Studies of the effects of chronic NSAID use or of NSAIDs administered only prior to surgery (and not immediat…

Reviewing Author

Andrew S. Parsons, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardNEJM Healer Advisory Group; Aquifer Clinical Excellence; NBME Clinical Reasoning

Grant/Research SupportSouthern Group on Educational Affairs (SGEA)

Editorial BoardsDiagnosis

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesUndergraduate Medical Education (UME) Section Chair, Southern Group on Educational Affairs (SGEA); Chair of Early Career Physicians, American College of Physicians (ACP), Virginia Chapter

Andrew S. Parsons, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardNEJM Healer Advisory Group; Aquifer Clinical Excellence; NBME Clinical Reasoning

Grant/Research SupportSouthern Group on Educational Affairs (SGEA)

Editorial BoardsDiagnosis

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Do Not Affect Postoperative Bleeding

Topics

Reviewing Author