Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
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J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. · Dec 1994
Effect of aspirin and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug therapy on bleeding complications in dermatologic surgical patients.
Aspirin and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit platelet cyclooxygenase activity, resulting in altered platelet function and thus potentially enhanced bleeding. ⋯ Bleeding time is increased by aspirin and NSAID therapy but is prolonged beyond the normal range in only approximately 25% of aspirin-treated and 10% of NSAID-treated patients. Intraoperative bleeding complications occurred only in patients receiving aspirin who had a prolonged bleeding time. Postoperative oozing occurred only in NSAID-treated and in untreated patients and thus is probably unrelated to antiplatelet therapy. Patients with a normal bleeding time can continue aspirin or NSAID therapy before dermatologic surgery.