GLPs Significantly Decrease the Risk of Postoperative Surgical Complications: A TriNetX Retrospective Cohort Study
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Marie Vu1, Madelyn Schmidt2, Smiti Gandhi2
1Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.
Background:
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP) receptor agonists have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, but their impact on outcomes after dermatologic surgery has not been evaluated.
Objective:
This study assessed the one-month risk of postoperative inflammatory complications (IC) in patients taking GLPs.
Methods:
Patients undergoing Mohs Micrographic Surgery and wide local excisions for melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancer while taking a GLP were identified using the TriNetx Research Network. GLPs included semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, albiglutide, and lixisenatide. IC included wound disruption, hematoma, infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, infections after a procedure, and other complications of procedures. After accounting for demographics and proinflammatory comorbid conditions, hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to identify the one-month risk of postoperative complications.
Results:
Compared with patients without GLP use, the GLP cohort was associated with a significantly reduced risk of infection after a procedure, wound disruption, skin and subcutaneous tissue infection, hematoma, and other complications. Among individual drug comparisons, semaglutide and tirzepatide demonstrated the greatest reductions in postoperative complications.
Conclusion:
GLP receptor agonists were associated with a significantly reduced risk of postoperative inflammatory complications after dermatologic surgery, supporting their perioperative safety and potential beneficial role in wound healing.
