Does Blood Platelet Count Impact Spine Surgery?

Category: Spine Surgery | Author: Stefano Sinicropi

blood plateletsPlatelets are little cells in our blood that help our body clot an open wound. Maintaining the right platelet levels is very important, especially when it comes to spine surgery. In this article, we are going to talk about a patient’s blood platelet count and what impact, if any, that can have on a minimally invasive spine surgery.

What Does it Mean to Have a High Platelet Count?

First of all, let’s talk about what a platelet is exactly. Platelets are tiny cells located in our blood that are responsible for clotting. Essentially, they keep a person from bleeding out whenever they get cut.

A platelet count is a test used to check for any conditions or diseases that may cause abnormalities in the blood. The test itself only requires a small draw of blood that is then tested in the lab for platelet count, as well as any other tests that are ordered.

Does Platelet Count Have any Impact on Surgery?

Now that we have explained a little more about platelets themselves, let’s talk about how they can impact surgery.

It is very common for your surgeon to order a platelet count before your surgical procedure. They need to know if you have any underlying conditions that could impact your platelet count and make it difficult for your body to heal itself during and after your procedure.

Certain antibiotics and drugs can impact blood platelet count as well. If you are on any medication that is known to affect platelet count, your surgeon will likely order a platelet test prior to your surgery to check for anything unusual. The ability for your blood to clot is an absolute essential when considering surgery. If you have low a platelet count, you could face life-threatening issues during and after surgery.

With all this in mind, it is absolutely essential that you tell your physician about any antibiotics you are taking, or any conditions you have or have had in the past.

 

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