Elective hand surgery in patients taking warfarin.

We reviewed 22 patients who had undergone either carpal tunnel decompression or release of Dupuytren's contractures while anticoagulated with warfarin. All patients continued with their usual anticoagulant regime over the period of operation, provided that the international normalized ratio (INR) was 3 or less. There was no abnormal intraoperative or postoperative bleeding in any patient. Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European volume, 2004).