Objectives: Continuation of anticoagulant therapy in patients undergoing dentoalveolar surgery is recommended because of the risk for thromboembolic events. Little information is available about the incidence of rebleeding in these patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of rebleeding after dentoalveolar surgery in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy.

Materials and methods: Seventy patients were included from which 48 used thrombocyte aggregation inhibitors and 22 used coumarin derivatives. The surgery consisted of dental extraction, apex resection or implant placement. The patients received standard postoperative care and the wounds were closed with absorbable sutures. Tranexamic acid mouthwash was used postoperatively by the patients receiving coumarin therapy.

Results: The group of patients that used coumarin derivatives had a mean INR of 2.6 (1.9–3.4). In this group three mild bleedings occurred (14%). In the group that used thrombocyte aggregation inhibitors three mild bleedings were reported (6.3%). All bleedings were controlled by the patients themselves with a compressive gauze. In none of the patients a severe bleeding requiring medical intervention was seen.

Conclusion: These preliminary results indicate that it is safe to perform dentoalveolar surgery in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy. However, patients need to be adequately instructed on the management of rebleeding at home.

Conflict of interest: None declared.