Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Developing After Cranioplasty.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) developing after cranioplasty, a skull reconstructive surgical procedure, is very rare. The presently reported patient underwent cranioplasty for cranial trauma under general anaesthesia using titanium prostheses. Her laboratory data was unremarkable. She underwent three operations, each complicated by excessive postoperative bleeding. Although the patient received massive blood transfusions, but no cryoprecipitate coagulum was given during the first two re-operations, and excessive bleeding was evident. Laboratory data showed PT prolongation, APTT prolongation, thrombocytopenia and elevation of the D-dimer level, suggestive of DIC. After the third re-operation, the patient received cryoprecipitate coagulum, and there was no apparent bleeding. Administration of cryoprecipitate coagulum for excessive bleeding postcranioplasty may be required in view of this rare complication.