Maintenance of anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents for patients undergoing peribulbar anesthesia and vitreoretinal surgery

PURPOSE: To establish the prevalence of anticoagulation (vitamin K antagonists) and antiplatelet agent therapy in patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery and to compare the outcome of peribulbar anesthesia and vitreoretinal surgery between users and nonusers. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case series study in one academic center. No changes in the treatment regimen were made before surgery. Patients were divided into 3 groups: G1, patients with no anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy; G2, patients treated with anticoagulants; and G3, patients treated with aspirin, clopidogrel, or both. RESULTS: Two hundred and six eyes (206 patients) were included. G1, 144 eyes (69.9%) without any anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy (69.9%); G2, 12 eyes (5.8%) with anticoagulants; and G3, 44 eyes (21.4%) with antiplatelet agents. Six patients (6 eyes) (2.9%) received both anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents. The incidence of overall and mild postoperative hemorrhagic complications was similar between groups, P = 0.075 and P = 0.127, respectively. However, potential sight-threatening hemorrhagic complications were more frequent in patients receiving antiplatelet agents, P < 0.003. CONCLUSION: Peribulbar anesthesia for vitreoretinal surgery can probably be performed safely in patients receiving anticoagulants. However, retinal surgeons should be aware that severe bleeding complications are more frequent in patients receiving antiplatelet therapy. © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.