L’arrêt ou non des anticoagulants avant une intervention fait souvent l’objet de contestation judiciaire lorsqu’une complication thrombotique ou hémorragique survient. La difficulté vient de l’appréciation des risques respectifs thrombotiques et hémorragique. L’adhésion aux recommandations et des explications préopératoires claires concernant l’attitude adoptée constituent la meilleure prévention des suites judiciaires.

Interruption or continuation of anticoagulants treatments before surgery is one of the reasons for legal action against physicians in case of complications. It can be however somehow difficult to evaluate respectively thrombotic and haemorrhagic risks in order to determine the appropriate attitude concerning anticoagulant treatments before surgery. The avoid to be sought in law, it is appropriate to provide clear information to patients and their relatives concerning the risks and to stick to recommendations of the national scientific societies concerning perioperative maintenance or interruption of anticoagulants before surgery.