Moynihan Lecture, 1980. Major surgery in haemophilia

The experience of the Department of Surgery of the Institute of Haematology, Warsaw, in surgery in haemophilic patients is discussed. From 1961 to 1980 131 surgical procedures were carried out on 110 patients with a mortality of 4.5%. The principles of replacement therapy, advantages of factor VIII concentrates, and factors influencing the haemorrhagic complications are described. The management of patients with inhibitors of factor VIII and the effect of the 'Feiba' preparation is discussed. Finally the importance of new work on an antihaemophilic globulin-liposome compound for oral administration to haemophilic patients is emphasised.