[Isolated increase in the bleeding time: the hemorrhagic risk and therapeutic problems].

An isolated increase of the bleeding time is rare. In the young, there may exist a history of bleeding disorders such as epistaxis. In middle age, the increased risk of bleeding during surgery is low but real, and depending on the type of surgery. There are many drugs responsible for increased bleeding time; these must be avoided: the principle that one haemostatic defect is often well tolerated whereas two are not is very real. So the management of such patients during surgery must be meticulous and the use of some drugs must be avoided. Careful surgical management with regard to haemostasis undoubtedly allows many patients with this sort of defect to undergo surgery without excessive bleeding. Some treatments are possible (e.g. steroids, DDAVP), but their routine use is not warranted.