Objectives: To examine disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) cases in detail to identify the predictors of onset and prognosis.
Study design: The clinical records of eight patients with DIC were examined with regard to the patient's background, underlying disease, direct inducers, duration, contents of treatments and outcome. The factors which controlled the onset and prognosis of DIC were examined in cases receiving surgery for malignant neoplasm compared with non-DIC cases. Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis.
Results: There were seven males and one female, age range from 25 to 93 years. The underlying diseases were six malignant neoplasms, one severe infection, and one case of multiple injuries of the mandible. Seven patients had pretherapeutic complications, and six patients recovered. Reduction in platelet counts immediately after the operation revealed high values up to 36%, and patients with more than two pretherapeutic complications were more susceptible to DIC when major postoperative complications occurred. The operation time and blood loss may also have affected the outcome.
Conclusion: Change of platelet counts, number of pretherapeutic complications, operation time and blood loss are important for predicting the onset and prognosis of DIC in the oral and maxillofacial regions.