Postoperative complications after dental extraction in liver pretransplant patients.

OBJECTIVES: The liver pretransplant phase requires the interaction of -multidisciplinary teams for optimal patient outcomes, including dental -professionals. In this study, we sought to estimate the prevalence of complications related to dental extraction in liver transplant candidates.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study is a case series of patients eligible for liver transplants referred for dental treatment between 2012 and 2014. Eligible patients for this study underwent at least one tooth extraction, had a complete blood count at the time of the procedure, and were candidates for liver transplantation.

RESULTS: Forty-three patients, 12 women (28%) and 31 men (72%), with an -average age of 50.9 ± 11.4 years, had received a total of 116 dental extractions. The prevalence of postoperative complications was 1.7% including two bleeding episodes in the same patient. Seven patients presented a platelet count below 50 × 10³/μL and received platelet transfusions preoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications following dental extractions in liver transplant candidates are unusual.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Low postoperative complications prevalence indicates that dental surgical procedures may be safety performed in patients eligible for liver transplantation after careful -preoperative evaluation.