A new study published in The Spine Journal examines risks of aspirin continuation during spinal procedures.
The study authors examined 1,339 studies and included three case studies in the meta-analysis that compared aspirin continuation with aspirin discontinuation during spinal procedures. The study authors found:
1. The studies included similar operative times between the patients who continued aspirin and patients who didn't. Patients who continued aspirin reported average operating time of 201.8 minutes, compared to 178.4 minutes for the aspirin-discontinuing group.
2. Both groups reported similar blood loss; average blood loss in the aspiring-continuing group was 553.7 mL, compared to 538.7 mL among the aspirin discontinuing group.
3. Both groups reported similar levels of cardiac events, stroke and surgical site infection.
4. The study authors found an "absence of significant difference in peri-operative complications between aspirin continuation and discontinuation" but recommended further studies to demonstrate the potential benefit and safety.