Surgery in patients with circulating lupus anticoagulant.

Twelve surgical procedures were performed in eight patients with circulating lupus anticoagulant. Bleeding complications were noted intra and postoperatively in three patients, either with an associated hypoprothrombinemia and/or thrombocytopenia. Five patients in whom only circulating lupus anticoagulant was found had an uneventful intra and postoperative course. It is concluded that the presence of lupus anticoagulant, when unassociated with other hemostatic defects, is not a contraindication for surgery.