Severe delayed postpolypectomy bleeding in elder patient with post-polycythemia myelofibrosis

BMC Surg. 2013;13 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S18. doi: 10.1186/1471-2482-13-S2-S18. Epub 2013 Oct 8.

Abstract

Background: The interest of the case lies in an unexpected delayed bleeding following an endoscopic procedure in a patient with post-polycythemia myelofibrosis. The case gives the opportunity to discuss the medical management and monitoring of patients with myeloproliferative disorders undergoing minimally invasive surgery interventions.

Case presentation: A 75 years old woman affected by post-polycythemia myelofibrosis underwent endoscopy polypectomy followed by a delayed major local bleeding. At the time of the endoscopy followed by bleeding, the platelet count was 837 × 109/L, haemoglobin 113 g/L, PCV 35,2% and WBC 20.22 × 106/L. No antithrombotic prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin was used. Antiplatelet drug was withdraw seven days before endoscopy and restarted one week after the procedure. Polyp size was 11 x 19 mm and it was located on right side of the colon.

Conclusion: There are some patients in whom current guidelines do not apply and our case stress the importance of myeloproliferative neoplasms as a risk factor for complications of endoscopic polypectomy. The delayed haemorrhage we observed suggest to strictly control the patient for a period longer than only one week also in case of antithrombotic treatment with antiplatelet drugs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Colonic Diseases / etiology*
  • Colonic Polyps / complications*
  • Colonic Polyps / surgery*
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Polycythemia / complications*
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology*
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / complications*
  • Severity of Illness Index