Postoperative bleeding associated with antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs: A retrospective study

To examine postoperative bleeding in patients taking antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications after invasive periodontal procedures.

This 6-year retrospective study collected data from the electronic health records of patients who underwent invasive periodontal procedures at the College of Dentistry, University of Kentucky Lexington, from January 1, 2011 through April 1, 2017. Records were included when the medical history was current, an invasive periodontal procedure was performed, an antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication was taken, and a postoperative visit was documented.

Four hundred and fifty-six patients (age range 22-89 years; mean age 66.1 years; 58% male) met the inclusion criteria and underwent 867 invasive periodontal procedures. Antiplatelet medications, warfarin, a direct oral anticoagulant, or a combination of these drugs were taken during 484 scaling and root planing procedures, 218 implant placements, 53 open flap debridements, 16 gingival grafts, 15 lateral windows, and 71 other. Medications were continued in 99.6% of patients during the procedure. Postoperative bleeding occurred after three procedures (0.35%) and resolved with local hemostatic measures. Medications were temporarily discontinued in four instances (range 1-5 days); none of these patients experienced postoperative bleeding.

Postoperative bleeding was infrequent in patients who underwent an invasive periodontal procedure while taking an antiplatelet or anticoagulant drug.