Impact of oral anticoagulation on morbidity of transurethral resection of the prostate

To assess the impact of oral anticoagulation (OA) on morbidity of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). OA included warfarin and platelet aggregation inhibitors (PAI).

Multicenter analysis of patients operated for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by TURP. Patients under OA were compared to those with no OA.

Out of 612 patients included in the analysis, 206 (33%) were on OA prior surgery (55 warfarin, 142 PAI, and 9 warfarin and PAI). No patient continued warfarin and clopidogrel during the operating period. Patients under OA were significantly older (75 vs. 71 yo, P < 0.001), had larger prostate volume (56 vs. 49 ml, P = 0.05), and had higher rate of bladder catheter prior surgery (26 vs. 17%, P = 0.02). At 3 months follow-up, patients in the OA group had a higher weight of resected tissue (24 vs. 21.7 g, P < 0.001), a longer duration of hospitalization (6.4 vs. 4.7 days P < 0.001), a higher rate of bladder clots (13 vs. 4.7%, P < 0.001), red cell transfusion (1.9 vs. 1.0%, P = 0.026), late hematuria (15.0 vs. 8.4%, P = 0.004), and thromboembolic events (2.4 vs. 0.7, P = 0.02). In multivariable analysis, OA status was the sole independent parameter associated with bladder clots (P = 0.004) and with late hematuria (P = 0.03).

OA had a significant and independent impact on TURP outcome in terms of bleeding complications. This data could be used for treatment decision and for patient’s information prior BPH surgery.