Stop aspirin before carpal tunnel surgery
Dr. S. Brunetti and colleagues set out to study aspirin and carpal tunnel surgery. Specifically, they wanted to know if patients should stop aspirin before carpal tunnel surgery. They theorized it let to too many complications.
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The researchers studies 150 patients who underwent standard open carpal tunnel release under intravenous anesthesia. They were divided into three groups: groups 1 and 2 (50 patients each) were on aspirin 100 mg for at least 1 year.
In group 1 the aspirin was never stopped. In group 2 aspirin was stopped at least 5 days before surgery and resumed 3 days after. Group 3 acted as a control (50 patients) who did not take aspirin. The incidence of clinically significant complications was recorded. Patients were reviewed at 2, 14 and 90 days post- surgery.
The researchers discovered there was no difference in the incidence of complications in the 3 groups. They concluded that continuation of aspirin did not increase the risk of complications. It is therefore unnecessary to stop aspirin before standard open carpal tunnel release so long as good surgical techniques are used.
Source:
S. Brunetti, et. al., Should aspirin be stopped before carpal tunnel surgery? A prospective study. World Journal of Orthopedics, 2013 October 18;4(4) 299-302.