Aspirin and post-prostatectomy haemorrhage.

Haemorrhage occasionally occurs following transurethral prostatectomy, and it may be severe. In this study a relationship between severe haemorrhage and ingestion of aspirin is documented. This is explicable in terms of the anti-aggregatory affects of aspirin on platelets. There may also be a problem with other types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Surgery should be undertaken with caution on patients taking these common medications.