Antidepressants and bleeding risk after face-lift surgery

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used antidepressants.
• Concerns exist regarding potential bleeding risks associated with SSRIs.
• Discontinuing SSRIs perioperatively carries its own set of risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the incidence of post-face-lift hematoma in patients using SSRIs versus those not using SSRIs.
• To evaluate the safety of perioperative SSRI use in patients undergoing face-lift procedures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical charts for 263 patients undergoing face-lift or neck-lift surgery.
• Analysis of postoperative hematoma incidence based on SSRI/SNRI usage.
• Examination of patient comorbidities and medication lists.

Main Results:

• Twenty-two percent of patients were taking SSRIs or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
• Overall hematoma rate was 1.95% for non-SSRI/SNRI users and 1.72% for SSRI/SNRI users.
• Minor hematoma rate was 1.95% in non-users vs. 0% in users; major hematoma rate was 0% in non-users vs. 1.72% in users.

Conclusions:

• SSRI usage was prevalent in this cohort of face-lift patients.
• Perioperative SSRI use was found to be safe in this study population.
• No evidence supports discontinuing SSRIs before face-lift surgery.