The rate of postoperative hematoma following risk-adapted cessation of oral anticoagulation in patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal surgery for pituitary adenomas

Background

This study describes the management of patients on oral anticoagulation (OAC) undergoing endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS) and analyzes the risk of postoperative hematoma and epistaxis following treatment of pituitary adenoma (PA).

Methods

Patients with OAC prior to EETS for PA were analyzed in a single center retrospective case series of consecutive patients with PA, who were treated between December 2008 and July 2022. Patient data (age, sex, clinical, endocrinology, tumor histology) were entered into a SPSS^® database. The rate of postoperative hemorrhage (intracranial and epistaxis) and other perioperative complications were assessed.

Results

Of 305 patients, 20 patients were on OAC prior to EETS for PA. Indications included non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) in 10 patients and previous venous thromboembolic event (VTE) in 8 patients, in 2 patients had overlapping indications. Twelve patients on direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) paused medication 1–3 days (43.6 ± 23.6 h) before surgery, while phenprocoumon was paused 234 ± 123.55 h (min 6, max 22 days) before surgery. Baseline characteristics such as age, sex, tumor growth direction, tumor volume, and largest diameter showed no significant differences. No significant increase in postoperative hemorrhage was observed in patients with OAC compared to those without. One patient on apixaban paused 48 h before surgery experienced postoperative epistaxis. Among patients without OAC, one experienced intracranial hemorrhage and seven experienced epistaxis.

Conclusion

Patients with OAC prior to EETS for PA have no increased risk for postoperative hematoma when OAC is paused based on individual risk assessment and recent general recommendations.