Management of the oral and maxillofacial surgery patient with thrombocytopenia

Patients with disorders of coagulation and bleeding can be among the most challenging surgical patients to manage. Intraoperative or postoperative bleeding can contribute to life-threatening complications in even the most "benign" surgical procedures. An adequate number and function of platelets play a critical role in the coagulation pathway. A thorough understanding of platelet physiology and platelet disorders is therefore essential in the management of the thrombocytopathic oral and maxillo facial surgery patient. A careful preoperative evaluation will help the surgeon treat these patients and help prevent potentially catastrophic intraoperative or postoperative bleeding. (C) 2001 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.