Brunetti S, Petri GJ, Lucchina S, Garavaglia G, Fusetti C. Should aspirin be stopped before carpal tunnel surgery? A prospective study.
World J Orthop 2013;
4:299-302. [PMID:
24147266 PMCID:
PMC3801250 DOI:
10.5312/wjo.v4.i4.299]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To determine whether patients taking aspirin during carpal tunnel release had an increase of complications.
METHODS: Between January 2008 and January 2010, 150 patients underwent standard open carpal tunnel release (CTR) under intravenous regional anaesthesia. They were divided into three groups: groups 1 and 2 were made of 50 patients each, on aspirin 100 mg/d for at least a year. In group 1 the aspirin was never stopped. In group 2 it was stopped at least 5 d before surgery and resumed 3 d after. Group 3 acted as a control, with 50 patients who did not take aspirin. The incidence of clinically significant per- or post-operative complications was recorded and divided into local and cardio-cerebro-vascular complications. Local complications were then divided into minor and major according to Page and Stern. Local haematomas were assessed at 2 d (before resuming aspirin in group 2) and 14 d (after resuming aspirin in group 2) postoperatively. Patients were reviewed at 2, 14 and 90 d after surgery.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications in the three groups. A total of 3 complications (2 major and 1 minor) and 27 visible haematomas were recorded. Two major complications were observed respectively in group 1 (non stop aspirin) and in group 3 (never antiaggregated). The minor complication, observed in one patient of group 2 (stop aspirin), consisted of a wound dehiscence, which only led to delayed healing. All haematomas were observed in the first 48 h, no haematoma lasted for more than 2 wk and all resolved spontaneously. A major haematoma (score > 20 cm2) was observed in 8 patients. A minor haematoma (score < 20 cm2) was recorded in 19 patients. All patients at 90 d after surgery were satisfied with the result in terms of relief of their preoperative symptoms. Major and minor haematomas did not impair hand function or require any specific therapy.
CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that continuation of aspirin did not increase the risk of complications. It is unnecessary to stop aspirin before CTR with good surgical techniques.
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