Is it necessary to discontinue anticoagulant medications before elective surgery of the skin?

No. Most Mohs surgeons are comfortable performing surgery on patients who are on aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, or other anticoagulants. In fact, recent literature suggests that all patients should be kept on their anticoagulant therapy, so as to prevent acute cardiovascular events, including strokes. Meticulous intraoperative hemostasis is crucial to preventing hematoma formation. Consultation with the patient’s internist or cardiologist is imperative if discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy is contemplated.