Is my platelet count acceptable to go ahead for surgery?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 73-year-old male and I have been scheduled for a co-surgery. Da Vinci prostatectomy for PC and double hernia repair with patches. My platelet count is 92 x 10^3 per microliter. I have had this for over 17 years. I had a bone marrow biopsy before 16 years and also, had a recent one before 3threeyears. Both were negative. Everything else is in the normal range in my CBC. My PT was 13.8 seconds, PT INR 1.1, and PTT 30 seconds. Is the platelet count acceptable for the procedure? Is there any risk of increasing the platelet count by infusion? Why should it be increased at all, when one of the dangers after the operation is clot formation? Could I sign a waiver, if the surgeon is reluctant to go ahead with the procedure with this platelet count?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:

Yes, this platelet count is acceptable for all major procedures, except involving the central nervous system.
No problem should occur during surgery with this platelet count. However, if doubtful, then can go for extra platelet transfusion and a few units kept ready to transfuse on short notice.
Similar to any blood product, risk of infection or allergic reaction present. Nowadays, there is virtually no risk due to good screening procedures.
Clot formation is more related to coagulation factors than platelets and after surgery formation of blood clots inside a blood vessel or thrombus is a rare event and occurs in major surgeries with risk factors. Here, no risk should be present.
Yes, you can sign. All surgeries require waivers and with normal bleeding time, you can go ahead.

Is my platelet count acceptable to go ahead for surgery?

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