(530) Blood Thinners: Does it Need to be Held for IPP Surgery?
Authors: Parikh N , Roshandel R , Suarez-Sarmiento A , Griggs R , Henry G , Perito P , Kohler T 
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Penile prosthesis placement in men on active anti-coagulation (AC) is controversial. The bleeding risk of continued blood thinners must be weighed against the increased thrombotic risk for patients when stopping them. Previously utilized techniques to decrease complication rates from AC include the use of a malleable implant only, leaving the IPP partially inflated for hemostasis, and placement of a drain.

Objective

We sought to assess outcomes of penile implant placement in men on clopidogrel, warfarin, apixaban, enoxaparin, and rivaroxaban in a multi-institutional study.

Methods

Data from 3 high volume implant centers were retrospectively obtained. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, case information including secondary procedures, placement of drain, drain output, and complications were recorded. Data on patients with aspirin any dose alone were not included as all 3 centers do not routinely discontinue ASA at time of penile implant. One center never placed drains and used a penoscrotal approach, one center left a drain at least one day and removed when output was &lt; 50 ml/8 hours and used a penoscrotal approach, and the last center placed a drain for 3 days and utilized an infra-pubic approach.

Results

202 patients were continued on AC throughout surgery. 112 patients were on clopidogrel, 35 warfarin, 38 apixaban, 1 enoxaparin, 15 rivaroxaban, and 1 on combination therapy with clopidogrel and enoxaparin. AC requirement included peripheral vascular disease (55%), CHF (11%), cardiac stents (11.6%), DVT/PE/history of thrombosis (7%), atrial fibrillation (11%), cardiac valves (2.2%), stroke (1.3%), and preventive (0.9%). Nine patients on AC (3.98%) experienced complications including 4 significant events (1.9%): 1 major retropubic bleed requiring transfusion, 3 IPP infections and 5 minor events: 3 minor hematomas, 1 minor wound dehiscence and 1 CT negative stroke event. Drain outputs for the 3 day center averaged 113 ml, 81 ml and 30 ml of output per day respectively with a total average output average of 223 ml and experienced no hematomas nor infections. Drain output for the center with removal when &lt; 50 ml/8 hours averaged 121 ml with the majority or patients having the drain for only one day. Drain output was significantly higher than historical non AC controls (121 vs. 72 ml p=.001) but there was no difference in hematoma rate. Three hematomas and 1 infection occurred in this group. AC type, revision surgery, scrotoplasty, or reservoir technique did not affect outcomes nor drainage (P&gt;.05). Complication rate (IPP infection and hematoma rate) where not different when compared to large cohorts from respective institutions.

Conclusions

Our data shows a 1.9% rate of major complications in patients undergoing IPP placement on anticoagulation in high volume implant centers. Although this approach appears feasible and similar in complication rates in men not on AC, careful consideration of the risk benefit ratio should be undertaken. Our data indicate closed suction draining for 3 days may be warranted. Additionally, the retropubic bleed case argues for only submuscular reservoirs placed under direct vision which minimizes occult bleeding risk. In the majority of cases, elective IPP surgery should be delayed until it is safe to discontinue anticoagulation therapy.

Disclosure

No