Safety of perioperative aspirin therapy in pancreatic operations.

Background: Antiplatelet therapy with aspirin is prevalent among patients presenting for operative treatment of pancreatic disorders. Operative practice has called for the cessation of aspirin 7-10 days before elective procedures because of the perceived increased risk of procedure-related bleeding. Our practice at Thomas Jefferson University has been to continue aspirin therapy throughout the perioperative period in patients undergoing elective pancreatic surgery.