coumadin and minor surgery

[damyankee]

I am having a epidermal cyst (rather small) removed from my should (upper) and take Comadin.  My sugeron told me to stay on the Coumadin therapy as it would be easier to treat the bleeding than if I had a stroke during the proceedure.....I have atral fribulation (intermittent).....is this safe to do this surgery while on coumadin????  Seems the bleeding risk is greater than the stroke risk......I also have high BP....thank you

[Jerry_NJ]

Either way works for me, I assume you INR is between 2 and 3.  If you are on a higher INR I do not have any direct experience.

For me either is acceptable.  I think your surgeon is overly concerned about a stroke, but he knows your condition, I do not.  I'm sure the surgeon knows what he's doing/saying.  Follow the doctor's recommendation.

[Janpes]

Hello,

I would think it is safer to do it while on the coumadin as it is only minor surgery. Yeah you will more than likely bleed a little bit more than the average person but they will be able to control that easier than a stroke. You say you have high bp so the risk of a stroke is probably far worse than a little bleed. If you bleed a lot then can correct it by giving a vitamin K injection.

I was on coumadin (warfarin) when I had my ablation for SVT and also had my reservations. Cardio advised just to not take in the evening before the procedure, I usually took it at 5pm, procedure was at 9.30am and then took my coumadin just after the procedure was finished.  

Good luck with the procedure
Take care