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SAN DIEGODermatologists should ask patients detailed questions about what medications they are taking before performing a procedure, Dr. Rainer E. Sachse said at a meeting sponsored by the American Society for Mohs Surgery.
Almost half of patients who undergo a dermatologic procedure are taking some type of anticoagulant, according to a recent survey. However, this scenario may not preclude surgery, Dr. Sachse said.
Patients may be taking an alternative medicine that has anticoagulant properties, such as garlic, fish oil, niacin, or vitamin E. Similarly, many patients routinely take aspirin each day, noted Dr. Sachse, a facial plastic surgeon who practices Mohs surgery in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
If a patient can stop the anticoagulant, Dr. Sachse asks them to do so for at least 1 week before the procedure. But because of the possible risk involved in stopping that therapy, he has the patient consult with the doctor who prescribed the medication.
For patients who are taking warfarin (Coumadin), dermatologists should know the international normalized ratio before performing the procedure. A patient on any type of anticoagulant should keep the pressure dressing on longer and avoid a lot of activity afterward to prevent bruising, other physicians at the meeting said.
SAN DIEGODermatologists should ask patients detailed questions about what medications they are taking before performing a procedure, Dr. Rainer E. Sachse said at a meeting sponsored by the American Society for Mohs Surgery.
Almost half of patients who undergo a dermatologic procedure are taking some type of anticoagulant, according to a recent survey. However, this scenario may not preclude surgery, Dr. Sachse said.
Patients may be taking an alternative medicine that has anticoagulant properties, such as garlic, fish oil, niacin, or vitamin E. Similarly, many patients routinely take aspirin each day, noted Dr. Sachse, a facial plastic surgeon who practices Mohs surgery in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
If a patient can stop the anticoagulant, Dr. Sachse asks them to do so for at least 1 week before the procedure. But because of the possible risk involved in stopping that therapy, he has the patient consult with the doctor who prescribed the medication.
For patients who are taking warfarin (Coumadin), dermatologists should know the international normalized ratio before performing the procedure. A patient on any type of anticoagulant should keep the pressure dressing on longer and avoid a lot of activity afterward to prevent bruising, other physicians at the meeting said.
SAN DIEGODermatologists should ask patients detailed questions about what medications they are taking before performing a procedure, Dr. Rainer E. Sachse said at a meeting sponsored by the American Society for Mohs Surgery.
Almost half of patients who undergo a dermatologic procedure are taking some type of anticoagulant, according to a recent survey. However, this scenario may not preclude surgery, Dr. Sachse said.
Patients may be taking an alternative medicine that has anticoagulant properties, such as garlic, fish oil, niacin, or vitamin E. Similarly, many patients routinely take aspirin each day, noted Dr. Sachse, a facial plastic surgeon who practices Mohs surgery in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
If a patient can stop the anticoagulant, Dr. Sachse asks them to do so for at least 1 week before the procedure. But because of the possible risk involved in stopping that therapy, he has the patient consult with the doctor who prescribed the medication.
For patients who are taking warfarin (Coumadin), dermatologists should know the international normalized ratio before performing the procedure. A patient on any type of anticoagulant should keep the pressure dressing on longer and avoid a lot of activity afterward to prevent bruising, other physicians at the meeting said.