Can I Undergo Hemorrhoid Surgery While Taking Dual Antiplatelet Medication?

Impact of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy on Hemorrhoid Surgery

Undergoing hemorrhoid surgery while taking dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is generally discouraged due to the medication's primary purpose in treating atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Common DAPT medications include Aspirin Enteric-coated Tablets, Clopidogrel Bisulfate Tablets, and Ticagrelor Tablets, which can lead to thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) and coagulation disorders. Hemorrhoid surgery, being an invasive procedure, may heighten the risk of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding, particularly in unregulated medical settings, and could potentially lead to postoperative infections.

1. Thrombocytopenia

Hemorrhoid surgery, as an invasive procedure, inherently causes trauma to the body. Patients with thrombocytopenia, characterized by impaired blood clotting, are prone to significant bleeding during or after surgery. To prevent such complications, performing hemorrhoid surgery while on DAPT is generally not recommended.

2. Coagulation Disorders

Hemorrhoid surgery, being invasive, poses a risk of massive hemorrhage for patients with pre-existing coagulation disorders, as they may struggle to stop bleeding promptly during or after surgery. In severe cases, this can even be life-threatening, thus contraindicating DAPT use during hemorrhoid surgery.

3. Postoperative Infection

After hemorrhoid surgery, patients often experience symptoms such as anal pain and a sensation of rectal fullness. DAPT medications, being somewhat irritant to the body, may exacerbate these symptoms and increase the risk of postoperative infections. Therefore, undergoing hemorrhoid surgery while taking DAPT is discouraged.

4. Other Considerations

For diabetic patients with poor glycemic control, postoperative wound healing may be compromised. In such cases, preoperative administration of antidiabetic medications is crucial to regulate blood sugar levels. However, if postoperative compliance is poor, it may also affect recovery, further emphasizing the avoidance of DAPT during hemorrhoid surgery.

Clinically, it is generally advised against using DAPT for hemorrhoid treatment. Instead, safer and more effective methods should be pursued. For patients already on DAPT, antiplatelet medications like Clopidogrel Bisulfate Tablets and Aspirin Enteric-coated Tablets can be prescribed under medical guidance to mitigate the risks of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding.