SAFETY OF PREOPERATIVE ENOXAPARIN IN HEAD AND NECK-CANCER SURGERY

Background. Thromboembolism is a risk in major head and neck cancer su rgery patients predisposed to thrombosis. This study was designed to d etermine whether enoxaparin (a low molecular weight heparin) administe red prior to surgery induces perioperative bleeding. Methods. Forty pa tients scheduled for major cervicofacial cancer surgery were randomize d in a double-blind study to receive either 20 mg exoxaparin or placeb o, 12 hours before surgery. Blood losses were measured at the end of s urgery and 6 hours later. Results. Bleeding was equal in the placebo g roup and in the enoxaparin group, with losses of 648 +/- 106 mL and 60 2 +/- 106 mL (p = 0.76), respectively. Six hours after surgery, blood collected was 159.3 +/- 25.7 mL in the placebo group vs 151.4 +/- 21 m L in the enoxaparin group (p = 0.81). Conclusion. Preoperative adminis tration of enoxaparin is safe in head and neck cancer surgery, but fur ther studies are required to evaluate its efficacy in preventing throm boembolism. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.