Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39870606›Full record

SynthesisMicrosurgery2025

Current Practices and Evidence of Aspirin Usage in Microvascular Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Faraaz Azam, Cyril Awaida, Anca Dogaroiu, Andrei Odobescu

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Microsurgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Faraaz AzamDepartment of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Cyril AwaidaPlastic Surgery Service, University of Montreal Hospital Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Anca DogaroiuDepartment of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Andrei OdobescuDepartment of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4304-5068

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAcetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has been used in reconstructive microsurgery since the inception of the field. However, when compared to placebo groups, its efficacy is not confirmed. In our study, we hypothesize that the utility of ASA postoperatively in microvascular surgery is not associated with improved outcomes.

methodsA systematic review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS according to PRISMA guidelines. Documentation of antiplatelet regimens and postoperative complications were the primary endpoints.

resultsFour articles met inclusion criteria including a total of 1196 patients. There were 637 patients who received aspirin and 559 patients who did not. The average age was not found to be significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). In terms of flap type, patients undergoing DIEP had a significantly higher likelihood of receiving aspirin, whereas patients undergoing fibula flaps had a lower rate of aspirin usage (p < 0.05). TRAM, anterolateral thigh flaps, SIEA, and radial forearm flaps were equally distributed between the two groups (p > 0.05). A total of 317 complications were noted across both groups. Total complication rate, complete flap loss, and venous/arterial thrombosis rate were not found to be significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). Hematoma rate was found to be significantly higher in the group receiving aspirin when compared to the control (RR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.19-2.44).

conclusionAspirin usage did not confer significant advantage in preventing postoperative complication rates and increased rates of hematoma formation.

Indexed as

AspirinMicrosurgeryPlastic Surgery ProceduresPlatelet Aggregation InhibitorsPostoperative ComplicationsVascular Surgical ProceduresHumansAspirinPlatelet Aggregation InhibitorsASAaspirinmicrovascular surgerythrombosis

Identifiers

PMID39870606
PMCPMC11772259

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.