Direct oral anticoagulants: A retrospective study of bleeding, behavior, and documentation

To examine the effects of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) on bleeding complications following dental surgeries.

This 6-year retrospective study collected data from records of patients undergoing oral surgical procedures within a university setting. An electronic health record database was searched using current procedural terminology codes for oral surgical procedures. Information regarding patient, procedural factors, and postoperative complications were extracted. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test.

Of patients who had a procedural code associated with oral surgery, only 0.11% (12/11,320) took a DOAC. Twelve patients (10 males, age ranging from 44 to 90 years) underwent 17 surgeries by nine different practitioners involving 98 extractions, 14 alveoloplasties, two tuberosity reductions, and two tori removals. In nine cases, the DOAC was discontinued a mean of 52.5 hrs prior to surgery (range 12-120 hrs). Bleeding complications were not reported for patients whose drug was discontinued or continued. Documentation of drug continuation/discontinuation was poor.

Bleeding was not observed with direct oral anticoagulation use in this oral surgery cohort. Drug discontinuation/continuation was not a factor in bleeding outcomes, and direct oral anticoagulation interruption was variable and poorly documented.