NSAID AS PREOPERATIVE AND POSTOPERATIVE MEDICATION - A POTENTIAL RISKFOR BLEEDING COMPLICATIONS IN REDUCTION MAMMAPLASTY

A cluster of bleeding complications in previously healthy women operat ed on for macromastia by reduction mammaplasty prompted a retrospectiv e study of 293 patients treated during 1991-1992. Nine out of ten pati ents with profuse intraoperative bleeding had received the NSAID diclo fenac (Voltaren(TM)) as part of premedication. Eight out of 20 postope rative haematomas were noted in patients treated with the NSAIDs diclo fenac (Voltaren(TM)) or ketorolac (Toradol(TM)) for postoperative anal gesia. These findings indicate that NSAID treatment increases the risk of intra- and postoperative bleeding complications in certain patient s operated on for macromastia by reduction mammaplasty.