Surgery in von Willebrand's disease.

Fifty-eight major surgical procedures were performed in 38 patients with von Willebrand's disease (VWD), one of the most common of the inheritable hemorrhagic disorders. Specific treatment with fraction I-0, (AHF-Kabi) in addition to a fibrinolytic inhibitor, was given to all patients. The effect of the treatment was checked by measuring the Duke bleeding time and factor VIII:C level. A marked difference between hemophilia and VWD from a surgical point of view is demonstrated. While most of the surgery in hemophiliacs is performed for severe joint deformities, contractures and blood cysts, surgery in VWD is mostly general surgery, often necessitated by massive hemorrhages from mucous membranes.