A longitudinal study to evaluate the bleeding pattern of patients on low dose aspirin therapy following dental extraction

Background and Aims: Antiplatelet dugs are often interrupted preceding invasive dental extraction because of concern of bleeding complications. The fear of uncontrolled bleeding often prompts medical and dental practitioners to stop aspirin intake for 7 to 10 days before any surgical procedure, which puts the patient at risk from adverse thrombotic events. The aim of the study conducted was to evaluate the bleeding pattern after routine dental extraction among patients on low dose long term aspirin therapy. Methods: A total of 104 subjects in the age group of 30-65 years, who continued to have aspirin intake during extraction were included in the study. Dental extraction was performed without stopping aspirin therapy under local anesthesia. The post-operative blood loss was quantified by weighing the gauze pre and post operatively and adding total volume of fluid in the suction jar. Results: Of these 104 patients treated, 87% of patients had mild bleeding (