Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: MP68-09
Sources of Funding: None

Introduction

Patients with vascular or cardiac disease may benefit from continuing antiplatelet therapy during surgery. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a transparenchymal procedure that can be associated with significant bleeding. Recent studies have demonstrated safety with continuing aspirin during PCNL. However, these studies were notable for patients having large postoperative nephrostomy tubes that may have provided additional hemostatic control. Here, we evaluated our experience with continuing aspirin in patients undergoing PCNL.

Methods

All patients that underwent PCNL over the last 3 years were evaluated. Hematocrit levels were recorded preoperatively, one hour after surgery and on postoperative day 1. Clinical and demographic parameters were recorded. Statistical difference was assessed using Student’s t-test and chi-square test._x000D_

Results

218 patients underwent PCNL during this time period. 20 patients continued aspirin through surgery and an additional 20 stopped aspirin one week prior to their procedure. No difference in mean hematocrit decrease was noted between patients that never took aspirin, those that stopped and those that continued on postoperative day 0 (-2.40% vs. -2.62% vs. -2.38%, respectively, p = 0.86) or postoperative day 1 (-2.37% vs. -2.94% vs. -2.11%, p = 0.34). No significant difference in preoperative platelet count, operating room time, estimated blood loss, and postoperative nephrostomy tube size (16 French) was noted between the groups._x000D_

Conclusions

Continuing aspirin through PCNL does not appear to lead to increased bleeding. _x000D_

Funding

None