Please login to view this media
- Talk
- 23/09/2021
- UK
The Effects of Long-Term Blood Thinner Usage on the Operative Complications and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures of Elective Lumbar Microdecompression Surgery
Description
In this presentation, Dr. Temidayo Osunronbi, an F2 doctor, discusses the implications of long-term anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing elective lumbar microdecompression surgery. He highlights the increasing prevalence of degenerative diseases among the aging population and the effectiveness of lumbar decompression in alleviating symptoms like back and leg pain. The challenge arises from the necessity for some patients to remain on blood thinners due to concurrent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions, complicating surgical preparations.
The study aims to evaluate if long-term blood thinner usage influences complication rates and surgical outcomes. It employs a retrospective case-control design, with patients divided based on their blood thinner usage before surgery: those on anticoagulants for at least six months compared to those not on any blood thinners. Key outcome measures include complication incidences (e.g., excessive bleeding, blood transfusions) and patient-reported outcomes, such as pain scores and functional disability indices, assessed pre-and post-surgery.
Preliminary results show no significant differences in surgical outcomes between the two groups concerning complications or patient-reported outcomes. Notably, while there appeared to be a trend towards increased excessive bleeding in those who continued anticoagulants, it did not translate into differences in blood transfusion needs or other complications. Dr. Osunronbi concludes that more extensive studies are necessary to enhance guideline recommendations and improve risk-benefit discussions for patients on blood thinners considering elective surgeries. The presentation ends with acknowledging the limitations of the study and opens the floor for questions, indicating its exploratory nature within a limited patient demographic.