warfarin and Hernia--Inguinal

Previous reports document the safety of open inguinal herniorrhaphy in patients on chronic warfarin therapy; however, the practice remains controversial. This study is a 10-year update of our experience.. A retrospective review of 1,839 consecutive patients undergoing open inguinal hernia repair was conducted from 2000 to 2010. All patients on chronic warfarin therapy were included. Three groups: continuation (CW), discontinuation (DW) and case-matched control (C) not on warfarin therapy were compared for operative details and postoperative complications.. One hundred and fifty-eight patients were on chronic warfarin therapy. Of these, 40 patients (25%) continued on warfarin during the perioperative period (CW). Average preoperative international normalized ratio (INR) was 2.15 ± 0.76 for CW and 1.38 ± 0.42 for DW, p < 0.001. Mean operative times were equivalent between all three groups (88 min CW vs. 85 min DW vs. 79 min C, p = 0.518). Although CW patients experienced higher incidences of both hematoma and urinary retention overall, no statistically significant differences in complication rates were seen between the three groups (hematoma = 10 vs. 8% DW vs. 5% C, p = 0.703; urinary retention = 15 vs. 10% DW vs. 8% C, p = 0.541). Comparing patients by INR, there were no statistically different postoperative complication rates, particularly for hematoma (8% INR <2 vs. 9.5% INR = 2-3 vs. 20% INR >3, p = 0.65).. Maintenance of warfarin therapy during the perioperative period for open inguinal herniorrhaphy results in equivalent operative times and postoperative complications as discontinuation.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Female; Hernia, Inguinal; Herniorrhaphy; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Safety; Retrospective Studies; Warfarin; Young Adult

This report addresses whether it is safe to perform totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair for patients taking antithrombotic agents. Between January 2011 and June 2012, 77 patients (70 men, 7 women) underwent TEP repair at Osaka Police Hospital, 22 (28.6 %) of whom had been treated with antithrombotic drugs preoperatively. Warfarin was stopped at least 3 days preoperatively and antiplatelet drugs were stopped at least 7 days preoperatively. Standard bridging intravenous heparin therapy was used according to the operative risk of each patient. The mean operative time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay did not differ significantly between these patients and a control group, although the patients on antithrombotic therapy were significantly older with higher surgical risk. No major complications or recurrence developed in either group. Our TEP repair method and bridging heparin therapy seem to be safe and feasible for minimizing postoperative complications.

Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Feasibility Studies; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents; Heparin; Hernia, Inguinal; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Postoperative Complications; Preoperative Care; Retrospective Studies; Risk; Secondary Prevention; Treatment Outcome; Warfarin

Tender lumps in the inguinal region are often explored emergently to treat suspected hernial strangulation. We discuss the case of an adult male who presented acutely with a tender inguinal swelling and raised inflammatory markers and was therefore deemed as requiring surgical exploration. However preoperative abdominal computerized tomography (CT) revealed an extensive thrombosing congenital venous malformation of portosystemic origin with extension into the symptomatic inguinal canal. A potentially lethal exsanguination from surgery was thus avoided.

Topics: Adult; Anticoagulants; Azygos Vein; Diagnosis, Differential; Hernia, Inguinal; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Male; Phlebography; Portal Vein; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Malformations; Vena Cava, Inferior; Venous Thrombosis; Warfarin

Guidelines and local hospital protocols dealing with anticoagulation at the time of surgery vary, but most suggest stopping Warfarin at least three days preoperatively with or without interim low-molecular-weight heparin or intravenous heparin infusion. This study addresses whether it is safe to perform inguinal hernia surgery on the patient who is fully anticoagulated with Warfarin.. We performed a retrospective case note analysis of consecutive patients who underwent elective inguinal hernia repair at the Plymouth Hernia Service between 1999 and 2007. All patients on therapeutic oral anticoagulation with Warfarin were selected. Data analysis was of complications and patient-related, hernia-related, and surgery-related variables. International normalising ratio (INR) was measured on the day preceding surgery.. A total of 49 patients had been operated on whilst anticoagulated with Warfarin. The mean age of the patients was 75 years (range 44-96 years). Thirty patients were on Warfarin for atrial fibrillation, seven for previous PE, three for previous DVT, and nine for mechanical heart valves. Forty patients had a desired INR range of 2-3, and nine a desired range of 3-4. Forty-five (91.8%) patients had no complications or mild bruising requiring no further management. Three (6.1%) patients developed haematomas requiring surgical management and there was one death of unrelated cause. An INR of greater than 3 increased the risk of postoperative haematoma (P = 0.03). None of the other measured patient-related, hernia-related, or surgery-related variables predicted complications (P > 0.05).. Patients can safely undergo inguinal hernia repair whilst on Warfarin as long as the INR is less than 3.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Elective Surgical Procedures; Hematoma; Hernia, Inguinal; Humans; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Retrospective Studies; Warfarin

Although relatively infrequent, groin hematoma following inguinal herniorrhaphy is a morbid complication with major ramifications of mesh infection and hernia recurrence. We have sensed an increasing frequency of this complication in our tertiary referral practice and sought to determine whether or not significant risk factors could be identified.. In this matched case-control study (1995-2003), we identified 53 patients with groin hematomas and paired them with 106 age- and gender-matched controls. Patient and procedure characteristics were analyzed using chi-square and both univariate and multivariable, conditional logistic regression analysis.. The 53 patients developing groin hematoma following inguinal hernia repair (mean age=65, range 22-87, 90% male) were well matched with 106 controls (mean age=65, range 22-87, 90% male). There was no significant difference in the location (left, right, bilateral), type (direct, indirect, pantaloon, first repair, or recurrent), or technique of hernia repair (Bassini, Lichtenstein, mesh plug, endoscopic, or McVay) between groups. While univariate analysis identified Coumadin usage (P<0.001, hazard ratio 19.1), valvular disease (P<0.001, hazard ratio 10.9), atrial fibrillation (P=0.02, hazard ratio 4.2), vascular disease (P=0.04, hazard ratio 2.2), blood abnormalities (P=0.02, hazard ratio 3.2), and previous bleeding episodes (P=0.02, hazard ratio 4.9) as significant factors, only preoperative Coumadin usage was important in multivariate analysis.. The crucial risk factor for groin hematoma developing in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair is preoperative need for Coumadin therapy. Although the perioperative management of anticoagulation in patients undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy is not clearly defined, meticulous management of patients requiring Coumadin therapy seems prudent.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Case-Control Studies; Chi-Square Distribution; Female; Groin; Hematoma; Hernia, Inguinal; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Minnesota; Postoperative Complications; Proportional Hazards Models; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Surgical Mesh; Warfarin

The perioperative management of warfarin therapy increases the complexity of open inguinal herniorraphy.. One thousand consecutive patients undergoing open inguinal herniorraphy were retrospectively reviewed. Patients on warfarin therapy were categorized into 3 groups: continued warfarin (CW), discontinued warfarin (DW), and discontinued warfarin with anticoagulation bridge (DWB).. Eighty-eight patients were on chronic warfarin therapy. Warfarin was continued in 19 patients, discontinued in 54, and discontinued with bridge in 15 patients. Operative times were similar between the 3 groups. Length of stay was longest in the discontinued warfarin with bridge group (CW 0.74, DW 0.54, and DWB 3.33 days; P < .0001). There was no significant difference in postoperative complications. The incidence of surgical site hematoma was higher in the continued warfarin and discontinued warfarin with bridge groups (CW 11%, DW 2%, and DWB 13%; P = .14).. Continuation of warfarin may be a safe alternative to discontinuation of warfarin therapy in select patients undergoing open inguinal herniorraphy.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Female; Hemorrhage; Hernia, Inguinal; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Thromboembolism; Treatment Outcome; Warfarin

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Diseases; Hemorrhage; Hernia, Inguinal; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Warfarin