Popular antidepressants medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) do not seem to increase bleeding risks associated with face and neck lifts. The findings appear in the July/August 2012 issue of the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.
In the study, 22 percent of 263 face and neck lift patients were taking an SSRI or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). Total hematoma rates were 1.95 percent among non-SSRI/SNRI users and 1.72 percent among patients who were taking these antidepressants.
For minor hematomas, the rate was 1.95 percent among non users and 0 percent among people taking SSRI/SNRIs. Patients not on these drugs had a a 1.72 percent rate of major hematoma compared with 0 percent among their counterparts who were taking SSRIs/SSNRIs, the study showed.
Pointing out that SSRI cessation does carry risks, researchers conclude “our study does not find good reasion to stop SSRI using the perioperative period.”
