Does aspirin affect the outcome of minor cutaneous surgery?

The use of regular aspirin as an antithrombotic agent has become prevalent in the elderly population. The belief that operative bleeding complications are more common in those patients taking regular aspirin has commonly led to its withdrawal 5-10 days prior to minor dermatologic plastic surgery. Few studies exist to examine the true effects of aspirin on outcome in these patients. All patients presenting for minor dermatologic plastic surgery in a 6-month period were prospectively studied. Two age-matched cohorts were identified: 52 patients taking regular aspirin, and 119 patients taking no aspirin. The incidence of minor and significant bleeding complications was recorded. There was no significant difference in the incidence of minor, significant or total complications between the two groups (Fisher's Exact test, P = 1.00). It is concluded that it is unnecessary to stop aspirin before minor dermatologic plastic surgery.