Complications after hand surgery in patients with a raised International Normalized Ratio.

A multicentre database was used to compare complications in 231 patients with an elevated International Normalized Ratio with 1626 control patients with a normal International Normalized Ratio. Patients with International Normalized Ratios measured within 48 hours of hand surgery were identified. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between anticoagulation and reoperation rates, emergency department visits and hospital readmissions for the first 30 days after operation. The group with a raised International Normalized Ratio had a significantly higher Charlson Comorbidity Score. An elevated International Normalized Ratio was associated with an odds ratio for a post-operative emergency department visit of 3.3 and an odds ratio of 4.7 for readmission. There was no statistically significant difference in early reoperations between the two groups.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.