Evaluation of preoperative coagulation tests for elective surgeries

Aim: Preoperative coagulation screening tests are routinely performed in our country. Screening tests include PT, prothrombin Time; PTT, partial thromboplastin time; and INR, international normalized ratio. We investigated the predictive value of these tests for intraoperative and postoperative bleeding. Material and Method: We reviewed the records of 250 elective tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and septoplasty operations performed at the Ankara Medical Park Hospital between the years of 2015and 2017. We also reviewed the patients who experienced intraoperative or/and postoperative bleeding. Those who have bleeding disorders are excluded from the study. Results: 32 (12.8%) patients had preoperative prolonged PT values but only two (6.2%) of these patients had intraoperative bleeding. 45 (18%) patients who had prolonged preoperative INR values, only five (11%) experienced bleeding intraoperatively. Two (4.4%) patients with prolonged INR values experienced light bleeding during the 45 days subsequent to surgery. 15 (6%) patients had prolonged preoperative PTT values, only one (6.6%)bexperienced light bleeding during surgery. Conclusion: This study shows that preoperative coagulation screening tests have low predictive values for intraoperative and postoperative bleeding and should only be performed if there is suspected medical history for coagulation disorders.