[Prevention of postoperative bleeding in patients taking oral anticoagulants. Effects of tranexamic acid].
BACKGROUND
We present a prospective clinical study on use of tranexamic acid mouthwashes in patients taking oral anticoagulants and who have to undergo minor ambulatory oral surgery, without modifying their anticoagulant therapy.


METHODS
Forty patients (18 men and 22 females) aged from 42 to 81 were studied from April 2000 to December 2002. All patients were under the same anticoagulant, vitamin K antagonist, (Sintrom) for different pathologies. The anticoagulant therapy was not modified neither before nor after surgery. More than 70 oral procedures were carried out under local anesthesia. The International Normalized Ratio of prothrombin time (INR) was<=4. Tranexamic acid 5% (Exacyl) mouthwashes were prescribed during and after surgery.


RESULTS
All the patients were followed up during 2 weeks after surgery. There were no postoperative bleedings.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of tranexamic acid mouthwashes under a specific protocol is an efficient, reliable and economic method in preventing postoperative bleeding in patients under oral anticoagulant therapy.
Keiani Motlagh
K
K
Service de Stomatologie et Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale, CHU Saint-Pierre, 322, rue Haute, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgique.
Loeb
I
I
Legrand
W
W
Daelemans
P
P
Van Reck
J
J
D000074:Acenocoumarol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006472:Oral Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014148:Tranexamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D009067:Mouthwashes; D014148:Tranexamic Acid; D000074:Acenocoumarol