Von Willebrand's disease--a potential bleeding problem in plastic surgery.

Von Willebrand's disease, a common hereditary bleeding disorder, may be responsible for undue or unanticipated intraoperative or postoperative hemorrhage. The diagnosis may be difficult to establish, although it may be suspected clinically and can usually be confirmed by adequate laboratory investigation. Patients with Von Willebrand's disease appear to be especially susceptible to developing significant prolongation of their bleeding time after the ingestion of aspirin.