[Surgery in patients with bleeding disorders--expensive treatment for a small group of patients].
BACKGROUND
During surgical procedures, patients with bleeding disorders have a major risk of bleeding complications. To reduce the risk of bleeding it is necessary to provide pre-, peri- and postoperative antihaemorrhagic therapy. In less severe bleeding disorders, pharmacologic treatment may be sufficient, but in patients with severe bleeding disorders there is always a need for clotting factor concentrates.


METHODS
This study includes all patients with bleeding disorders admitted to Rikshospitalet University Hospital between 1997 and 2003 for surgical procedures during which therapy with clotting factor concentrates was mandatory.


CONCLUSIONS
Over the study period, 135 patients underwent a total of 255 different surgical procedures. In 47% of the patients there was a causal relationship between the need for surgery and the bleeding disorder. Our results show that patients with severe bleeding disorders, including patients with inhibitors, can be treated safely provided that the patients receive adequate treatment with clotting factor concentrates. However, substitution therapy with clotting factor concentrates is very expensive. Cost related to substitution therapy is the main determinant of how many patients with severe bleeding disorders can undergo elective surgery in our hospital each year.
Mishra
Vinod
V
Helsefaglig støtte, Rikshospitalet HF, 0027 Oslo. vinod.mishra@rikshospitalet.no
Paus
Albert C
AC
Tjønnfjord
Geir E
GE
D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003029:Coagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D020147:Coagulation Protein Disorders / Q000150:complications; D016527:Drug Costs; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications; D002836:Hemophilia B / Q000150:complications; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000191:economics; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000191:economics; D011292:Premedication / Q000191:economics; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000191:economics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*
D003029:Coagulants; D006490:Hemostatics