Fibrinogen but not factor XIII deficiency is associated with bleeding after craniotomy.

Abstract

Postoperative haemorrhage in neurosurgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There is controversy whether or not factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency leads to bleeding complications after craniotomy. Decreased fibrinogen levels have been associated with an increased incidence of bleeding complications in cardiac and orthopaedic surgery. The aim of this study was to assess perioperative fibrinogen and FXIII levels in patients undergoing elective intracranial surgery with and without severe bleeding events.