Hemorrhage associated with dacryocystorhinostomy and the adjunctive use of desmopressin in selected patients.

Of 150 consecutive patients who underwent dacryocystorhinostomy, postoperative hemorrhage requiring treatment occurred in 2 patients, both of whom had endogenous platelet dysfunction without thrombocytopenia. The first patient had macroglobulinemia, and the second patient had congenital platelet hypofunction. Prophylactic 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (desmopressin; DDAVP) was used successfully to decrease intraoperative bleeding in the second patient. Of the 15 patients with exogenous platelet dysfunction secondary to the use of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents within 1 week of operation, none had hemorrhaging. Dacryocystorhinostomy should be undertaken cautiously and with hematologic consultation in patients with blood dyscrasias.