Effectiveness of hemostatic protocols for the prevention of bleeding during oral procedures in anticoagulated individuals: a systematic review protocol

OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of hemostatic protocols for the prevention of bleeding in dental procedures among individuals undergoing oral anticoagulation therapy. INTRODUCTION Dental procedures may increase the chance of bleeding in individuals undergoing oral anticoagulation therapy. The literature suggests different hemostatic protocols for the prevention of bleeding in anticoagulated individuals but offers no consensus regarding their effectiveness exists. INCLUSION CRITERIA Randomized clinical trials comparing the effectiveness of different hemostatic protocols for the prevention of bleeding during oral procedures among individuals 18 years or older undergoing oral anticoagulation therapy will be included. METHODS Computerized searches will be conducted in seven electronic databases. Gray literature and searches in the reference list of the included articles will also be screened. Titles/abstracts of the references retrieved will be assessed. The full text of references whose titles/abstracts contain insufficient information will also be evaluated. References that meet the eligibility criteria will be included without restriction on the language or date of publication. Data extraction, the assessment, and review of information and assessment of the methodological quality of the included articles will be performed. Statistical heterogeneity of meta-analysis will be assessed. In the event of high statistical heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis will be performed. Subgroup analysis will be planned. The certainty of the evidence will be evaluated with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. Articles chosen with methodological homogeneity will be incorporated into the meta-analysis. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019136744).