Blood loss in long-term aspirin users undergoing transurethral prostatectomy

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Aspirin is commonly prescribed for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorder prevention.
• Many patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are long-term aspirin users.
• The routine preoperative use of aspirin as an antithrombotic agent is less common now.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of long-term aspirin use on blood loss during TURP.
• To determine if preoperative aspirin cessation is necessary for TURP patients.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 40 long-term aspirin users (250 mg/day) and 42 control patients undergoing TURP.
• Measurement of intraoperative and postoperative blood loss.
• Correlation of blood loss with operating time and prostatic weight.

Main Results:

• Mean blood loss in aspirin users was 358 ml (range 50-1550 ml) versus 478 ml (range 40-2400 ml) in the control group.
• No significant difference in mean blood loss was observed between the groups when correlated with operating time and prostatic weight.
• Two aspirin-treated patients experienced late postoperative bleeding requiring bladder emptying.

Conclusions:

• Long-term aspirin use (250 mg/day) does not significantly enhance blood loss during TURP.
• Preoperative cessation of aspirin therapy appears unnecessary for patients undergoing TURP.
• The findings support the continuation of aspirin therapy for cardiovascular protection in TURP candidates.