title: [Should oral contraceptives and postmenopausal hormonal substitution be withdrawn prior to surgery? A questionnaire study in departments of surgery and gynecology].
abstract: We conducted a survey among the surgical and gynaecological departments of all Norwegian hospitals, about today's practice concerning oral contraceptives and surgery. Most of the surgical and gynaecological departments recommend discontinuance of the pill two and four weeks prior to surgery, and reintroduction upon mobilisation postoperatively. In surgical emergencies amongst women who use the pill, 4/5 surgical and 2/3 gynaecological departments would prefer to give thrombosis prophylaxis. Low molecular weight heparin was recommended most. Surgical departments especially recommend stopping the use of the progestogene only contraceptive pill, and post menopausal oestrogen substitution, before elective surgery. Both gynaecological and surgical departments give inadequate information about the use of alternative birth control during the period when the pill is not taken. The survey did not show any difference between university and central/county hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Kirurgisk avdeling, Lillehammer fylkessykehus.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wessel
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gerner
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Grøgaard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000075202:Contraindications; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D017698:Postmenopause; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral