Factor VII deficiency and surgery. Is preoperative replacement therapy necessary?

A. J. Yorke and M. J. Mant

A patient with congenital factor VII deficiency (factor VII was 12%) had gynecologic surgery performed without prophylactic blood-product replacement therapy. Blood loss was not excessive. A review of 12 additional patients with factor VII deficiency who underwent surgery without replacement therapy showed that surgical bleeding was uncommon and that there was no relationship between factor VII levels and hemorrhage. It is proposed that patients who bleed may be those who also have a prolonged bleeding time or who have ingested aspirin shortly before surgery. It is all proposed that replacement therapy be available for use if required, but that its routine preoperative use is probably unnecessary in this disorder.