Anticoagulation and minor oral surgery: Should the anticoagulation regimenbe altered?

Purpose: This study was performed to assess the extent of bleeding in antic oagulated patients undergoing minor oral surgery procedures when compared w ith patients who stop their anticoagulation regimen before surgery and pati ents who have never been anticoagulated. Materials and Methods: Patients on anticoagulant medications undergoing den toalveolar surgery procedures either stopped their anticoagulation regimen 72 to 96 hours before the planned surgical intervention or continued their regular regimen throughout the time of surgery. Blood loss was measured by weighing sponges used in the procedures, and groups were compared for diffe rences in blood loss. They were also compared with an additional control gr oup that had never been on anticoagulant therapy. Results: There was no difference in blood loss detected among any of the ex perimental of control groups. No bleeding complications occurred in any ant icoagulated patient, Conclusions: The data suggest that many patients can safely undergo routine outpatient oral surgical procedures without alteration of their regular th erapeutic anticoagulation regimens and without additional medical intervent ion. However, a larger experimental population may be needed to elucidate t he appropriateness of this approach to perioperative care.