Preoperative test of bleeding time in ear surgery

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Hematology

Background:

• Microsurgery of the ear demands meticulous hemostasis.
• Preoperative assessment of bleeding risk is essential for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the incidence and causes of prolonged bleeding time in patients undergoing ear surgery.
• To emphasize the importance of routine preoperative bleeding time assessment.

Main Methods:

• Bleeding time according to Ivy was determined preoperatively in 300 ear surgery patients.
• Further investigations were conducted for cases with prolonged bleeding times.

Main Results:

• 25 out of 300 patients (8.3%) exhibited prolonged bleeding times.
• Causes identified included mild thromboasthenia (4 cases), enhanced fibrinolytic activity (1 case), and acetylsalicylic acid intake (10 cases).

Conclusions:

• Routine preoperative bleeding time determination is recommended for ear surgery patients.
• Patients should be advised to avoid acetylsalicylic acid-containing drugs for two weeks prior to surgery.