Patient’s Perceptions of Importance of Discontinuing Antithrombotic Medication Before Oculoplastics Surgery

Abstract

This study aims to analyze patients’ perspectives to ultimately gain insight into the patients understanding in 3 broad categories: their understanding of how their medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs work, their understanding of the risks these agents pose in a surgical setting, and their preferences for the continued use of the agents during and after oculoplastic surgery. To obtain these data, the authors prospectively surveyed 129 patients who had an oculoplastic surgery clinical evaluation at our tertiary care academic facility. Because no previously validated questionnaire on this topic existed, the authors utilized a novel questionnaire the authors developed. For antithrombotic medications, about 60% of patients felt there were risks associated both with stopping and continuing the agent during surgery. For antithrombotic supplements, more patients answered there were risks associated with continuing the agents during surgery versus stopping the agents during surgery (40% versus 25%, respectively). There was a relationship between patients’ knowledge that they were on an antithrombotic prescription and their understanding of the risks associated with antithrombotic usage during surgery as well as sudden discontinuation of the prescription. With an understanding of the patient’s point of view, surgeons will be equipped to have multifaceted conversations with their patients surrounding their medications, systemic health, and oculoplastic surgery.