Evidence to support an individualized approach to modification of oral anticoagulant therapy for ambulatory oral surgery

Abstract

The question of whether modification of oral anticoagulation (OA) is necessary for oral surgical procedures has been debated for some time. There are numerous references advocating various protocols and management therapies for anticoagulated patients requiring surgical procedures. Over the past 5 years, more articles advocate maintaining the anticoagulated patient in therapeutic range without considering the individual patient, the reason for anticoagulation, or the planned surgical procedure. During my 10 years as an oral surgeon in private practice, I have managed many hundreds (possibly thousands) of such patients with a variety of techniques and believe that an individualized approach is best.