The effect of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid on bleeding after transurethral prostatectomy - A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Objective: An increase in the loss of blood after ingestion of acetylsalicy lic acid (ASA) has been reported after several types of surgery, but random ized placebo-controlled studies have exclusively been performed after coron ary artery bypass surgery. The reported effects of ASA on bleeding after tr ansurethral prostatectomy (TURP) have been conflicting. We have studied the effect of low doses of ASA (150 mg) on bleeding after TURF in a prospectiv e, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients and methods : Patients were randomized to receive either 150 mg ASA (n = 26) or placebo (n = 27) 10 days before surgery. The weight of resected tissue, operation time and blood loss, transfusion requirements and complications were record ed. Results: There was no significant difference in the median operative bl ood loss between the: groups (p = 0.528), but postoperatively the blood los s in the ASA group (median 284: quartiles 196-660 mi was significantly high er than in the placebo group (median 144; quartiles 75-379 mi), (p = 0.011) . No significant difference was observed between the groups regarding the a mount of resected tissue (p = 0.209) or the operating lime (p = 0.297). in both groups the operative blood loss was significantly related to the amoun t of resected tissue (p < 0.005) and the operating time (p< 0.005). No sign ificant difference in transfusion requirements (p= 0.280), time to catheter removal (p= 0.455) and hospital stay (p = 0.820) were observed between the groups. Conclusion: Long-term low-dose ASA therapy is associated with a si gnificant increase in the postoperative blood loss after TURF, and although no significant difference in transfusion requirements was observed more un its of blood were used in the ASA group. We advise that ASA therapy should be withdrawn 10 days before TURF.