Impact of Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Drugs on Perioperative Outcomes of Robotic-assisted Partial Nephrectomy

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of anticoagulant (AC) or antiplatelet (AP) therapy on the morbidity of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN).Materials and MethodsFrom 2011 to 2015, we retrospectively analyzed a prospectively maintained institutional review board-approved database of RAPN from 2 academic departments of urology. We evaluated the occurrence of overall complications and hemorrhagic complications (pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, hematoma, transfusion). Patients with therapeutic AC or AP, stopped or not before surgery, were compared with patients without therapeutic AC or AP. A logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of complications.ResultsOut of 533 patients who underwent RAPN, 70 had AC or AP (50% aspirin, 25% clopidogrel, 28% AC, 8% direct oral AC). Clopidogrel, AC, and direct oral AC were always stopped preoperatively. Aspirin was continued in 25% of the cases. In univariate analysis, overall complications (39.2% vs 17.4%; P = .001) and hemorrhagic complications (32.7% vs 9.6%; P <.001) were higher in patients on AC or AP. Hospital stay was longer in the group with therapeutic AC or AP treatment (5.1 vs 3.9 days; P <.001). In multivariate analysis, predictors of complications were intake of therapeutic AC (odds ratio [OR] = 4.3, IC95% [1.2-15.9], P = .03) and tumor size (OR = 1.8, IC95% [1.3-7.2], P = .03). Patients on aspirin tended to have more complications (OR = 2.4; IC95% [0.4-9.3]; P = .15).ConclusionAP and therapeutic AC increase the morbidity of RAPN. These treatments should be taken into account in treatment decision-making algorithm of small renal masses.