Management of patients taking anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors prior to dermatologic surgery.

BACKGROUND. The use of anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors can increase the risk of intraoperative and postoperative hemorrhagic complications in cutaneous surgery. Currently there are no general guidelines and no consensus among dematologic surgeons on how to manage patients taking these medicines. OBJECTIVE. To address many of the issues involved in the management of these patients. CONCLUSION. General recommendations are made for managing patients taking anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors prior to dermatologic surgery.