Management of patients taking anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors prior to dermatologic surgery.
BACKGROUND
The use of anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors can increase the risk of intraoperative and postoperative hemorrhagic complications in cutaneous surgery. Currently there are no general guidelines and no consensus among dermatologic surgeons on how to manage patients taking these medicines.


OBJECTIVE
To address many of the issues involved in the management of these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
General recommendations are made for managing patients taking anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors prior to dermatologic surgery.
Goldsmith
S M
SM
Department of Dermatology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1071.
Leshin
B
B
Owen
J
J
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000601:surgery*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D001241:Aspirin