Orthognathic Surgery in Patients With Von Willebrand's Disease: A Report of Four Cases and Literature Review

Cureus. 2024 Mar 31;16(3):e57305. doi: 10.7759/cureus.57305. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Abstract

Von Willebrand's disease (VWD), characterized by quantitatively or qualitatively abnormal von Willebrand factor (VWF), is the most common inherited bleeding disorder. There is limited evidence of treatment using orthognathic surgery in patients with VWD. This report focuses on four patients with VWD who underwent orthognathic surgery and received Factor VIII/VWF concentrates (Confact F) preoperatively. One patient with type 3 (severe) VWD underwent delayed extubation owing to laryngeal edema and exhibited epistaxis thereafter. No perioperative complications were observed in any of the other patients. Two of the four patients were diagnosed with VWD during preoperative screening. Most young adults do not experience general anesthesia and, therefore, may not have undergone blood tests at a hospital. Thus, preoperative screening and adoption of a multidisciplinary approach to orthognathic surgery is important in patients with bleeding disorders such as VWD. Close communication between anesthetists, surgeons, and hematologists is essential to ensure effective management during the perioperative period.

Keywords: bilateral sagittal split osteotomy; bleeding disorder; occlusion; orthognathic surgery; von willebrand’s disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports