Circumcision in males with bleeding disorders

Circumcision bleeding rates in patients diagnosed with delta-storage pool deficiency later in life

BACKGROUND

Male circumcision is a common procedure, generally performed during the newborn period. Bleeding is an uncommon but feared complication of circumcision. Few reports have evaluated circumcision bleeding rates in patients with bleeding disorders.

OBJECTIVES

To study circumcision bleeding rates in male subjects who were diagnosed later in life with delta-storage pool deficiency (δ-SPD).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of male subjects (≤18 years of age) who were circumcised without hemostatic prophylaxis prior to δ-SPD diagnosis from 2000 to 2020. Bleeding rates and severity were the main outcomes evaluated. We collected demographic data, bleeding scores using a validated assessment tool, laboratory data, and platelet electron microscopy results. A descriptive analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-five male subjects were included. The median bleeding score at presentation was 3.5 (range: 2-9). The diagnosis was confirmed using platelet electron microscopy. A value of <2 dense granules/platelet was considered abnormal. Circumcision was performed at a median age of 2 days (range: 1 day to 4 months). None of the subjects had intraoperative or postoperative bleeding. With a bleeding rate of zero, we suggest that newborn males with a family history of δ-SPD may be safely circumcised without hemostatic prophylaxis.

Surgical management of patients with von Willebrand disease: summary of 2 systematic reviews of the literature

von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder. The management of patients with VWD who are undergoing surgeries is crucial to prevent bleeding complications. We systematically summarized the evidence on the management of patients with VWD who are undergoing major and minor surgeries to support the development of practice guidelines. We searched Medline and EMBASE from inception through October 2019 for randomized clinical trials (RCTs), comparative observational studies, and case series that compared maintaining factor VIII (FVIII) levels or von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels at >0.50 IU/mL for at least 3 days in patients undergoing major surgery, and those with options for perioperative management of patients undergoing minor surgery. Two authors screened and abstracted data and assessed the risk of bias. We conducted meta-analyses when possible. We evaluated the certainty of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. We included 7 case series for major surgeries and 2 RCTs and 12 case series for minor surgeries. Very-low-certainty evidence showed that maintaining FVIII levels or VWF levels of >0.50 IU/mL for at least 3 consecutive days showed excellent hemostatic efficacy (as labeled by the researchers) after 74% to 100% of major surgeries. Low- to very-low-certainty evidence showed that prescribing tranexamic acid and increasing VWF levels to 0.50 IU/mL resulted in fewer bleeding complications after minor procedures compared with increasing VWF levels to 0.50 IU/mL alone. Given the low-quality evidence for guiding management decisions, a shared-decision model leading to individualized therapy plans will be important in patients with VWD who are undergoing surgical and invasive procedures.

Determining causes of death among individuals with haemophilia in Afghanistan

INTRODUCTION

Haemophilia is a well-known bleeding disorder that affects people worldwide. The main therapeutic strategy is regular infusion of exogenous factor VIII to ensure an optimal haemostatic standard. Morbidity and mortality of individuals with haemophilia has decreased in developing countries due to improvement in early detection, advanced treatments, and comprehensive population outreach efforts. However, individuals with bleeding disorders in developing countries like Afghanistan do not have access to such therapeutic facilities.

AIMS

The goals of this study were to determine the causes of death and findings related to death among in individuals with bleeding disorders in Afghanistan.

METHODS

This study conducted as a retrospective cross-sectional study of 387 individuals with bleeding disorders (mainly haemophilia) in Afghanistan.

RESULTS

All registered individuals with bleeding disorders in Afghanistan were interviewed by telephone. Among the 387 individuals with bleeding disorders, there were 136 deaths. Most deaths occurred in individuals aged 1-15 years (66.2%). Intracranial haemorrhage was the leading cause of death in individuals with haemophilia A and B.

CONCLUSION

These findings revealed that supply of coagulation factor concentrates, facilities for haemostasis diagnosis, and trained haematologists is inadequate in Afghanistan.

Systematic review of complications arising from male circumcision

Background

Neonatal male circumcision is the most common procedure performed on paediatric patients (Simpson et al., 2014) and one of the most common surgical procedures in the world (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012).

Methods

A search was conducted for articles about complications arising from male circumcision surgeries by entering the term ‘male circumcision’ into PubMed on June 16, 2020. Six thousand six hundred forty‐one articles published from 1945 to 2020 were found. Seventy‐eight articles were ultimately selected for the systematic review.

Results

The 78 articles selected from the literature search were entered into one of three tables. The first table includes 15 articles pertaining to chart reviews and cohort studies and report complication rates. The second table reports specific complications from 51 case reports and case series, and the third table is a summary from 12 articles regarding physician questionnaires and society recommendations. Additionally, the 78 articles were used to compile a list of 47 specific complications arising from male circumcision surgeries.

Conclusions

Complications from neonatal male circumcisions are common and healthcare providers need to be better informed of the potential complications of the surgery so that they can more effectively counsel their patients about potential risks, likelihood of complications and what can be done to prevent them. While experienced providers who practice in sterile settings have better outcomes with fewer complications, encouraging parents to take into account who is performing their son's circumcision, what was their training, how clean is their practice and how much experience they have and reminding them they have the option to decline the procedure entirely allow the parents to get a more complete picture and play an essential role in the decision‐making process.

A Modified Pressure Dressing to Avoid Severe Bleeding After Circumcision With a Disposable Circumcision Suture Device and a Discussion on the Mechanism of Bleeding With the Disposable Circumcision Suture Device

INTRODUCTION

A novel type of a disposable circumcision suture device (DCSD) has been proved to be effective and safe; however, a few cases of severe bleeding took place after circumcisions.

AIM

To evaluate the effectiveness of a modified double-layer pressure dressing to avoid severe bleeding after circumcision with the DCSD, in our department in a prospective randomized controlled study, and discuss the mechanism of bleeding with DCSD.

METHODS

Patients with redundant foreskin or phimosis were included between September 2018 and November 2019 and divided into 2 groups: In group A, the conventional pressure dressing was performed; in group B, an modified double-layer pressure dressing was performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The main outcomes and complications (surgical time, incidence of glans ischemia, severe bleeding rate, infection rate, pain level, total cost, and overall satisfaction) were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 624 patients were recruited for this study. There was no difference in the average age and body mass index between 2 groups. No patient suffered obvious glans ischemia. In group B, lower pain level, lower incidences of severe bleeding, and better satisfaction were recorded.

CONCLUSION

The mechanism of bleeding with the DCSD was discussed in this study, and the modified pressure dressing was proved effective, safe, and easy to perform. W Jiang, J-li Fu, W-l Guo, et al. A Modified Pressure Dressing to Avoid Severe Bleeding After Circumcision With a Disposable Circumcision Suture Device and a Discussion on the Mechanism of Bleeding With the Disposable Circumcision Suture Device. Sex Med 2021;9:100288.

Low-dose surgical prophylaxis: Optimization of use of World Federation of Hemophilia Humanitarian Aid donated clotting factor concentrates to developing countries

BACKGROUND

Patients with hemophilia (PWH) might need surgical interventions during the course of their lives. Such medical interventions pose hemostatic challenges and requests infusion of clotting factor concentrates (CFCs) during peri and postoperative for variable periods to prevent bleeding and until complete wound healing. Access to CFCs to PWH living in resource limited settings is usually a challenge which makes surgical interventions either risky or not practical. Recently World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) started a humanitarian aid program to channel CFCs into resource limited countries and which allowed the possibility to perform surgical interventions for PWH in these countries.

AIM OF WORK

To study safety and efficacy of using lower doses of CFCs for surgical prophylaxis.

METHODS

Review of literature and our center experience to demonstrate safety and efficacy of low dose surgical prophylaxis using CFCs RESULTS: Several elements can help using lower doses of CFCs for surgical prophylaxis in resource limited setting. These elements include severity of hemophilia, type of surgical procedure, the use of hemostatic surgical techniques, the type of CFCs, the mode of infusion of CFCs and finally the use of adjunctive therapies CONCLUSION: Management of surgical procedures for PWH in a multidisciplinary specialized hemophilia treatment centers with proper understanding of hemostatic and surgical challenges of the procedure can allow for safe and effective use of lower doses of CFCs for surgical prophylaxis.

ASH ISTH NHF WFH 2021 guidelines on the management of von Willebrand disease

BACKGROUND

von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a common inherited bleeding disorder. Significant variability exists in management options offered to patients.

OBJECTIVE

These evidence-based guidelines from the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH), the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF), and the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) are intended to support patients, clinicians, and health care professionals in their decisions about management of VWD.

METHODS

ASH, ISTH, NHF, and WFH formed a multidisciplinary guideline panel. Three patient representatives were included. The panel was balanced to minimize potential bias from conflicts of interest. The University of Kansas Outcomes and Implementation Research Unit and the McMaster Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Centre supported the guideline development process, including performing and updating systematic evidence reviews (through November 2019). The panel prioritized clinical questions and outcomes according to their importance to clinicians and patients. The panel used the GRADE approach, including GRADE Evidence-to-Decision frameworks, to assess evidence and make recommendations, which were subject to public comment.

RESULTS

The panel agreed on 12 recommendations and outlined future research priorities.

CONCLUSIONS

These guidelines make key recommendations regarding prophylaxis for frequent recurrent bleeding, desmopressin trials to determine therapy, use of antiplatelet agents and anticoagulant therapy, target VWF and factor VIII activity levels for major surgery, strategies to reduce bleeding during minor surgery or invasive procedures, management options for heavy menstrual bleeding, management of VWD in the context of neuraxial anesthesia during labor and delivery, and management in the postpartum setting.

Emicizumab for hemophilia A with factor VIII inhibitors

INTRODUCTION

Hemophilia is a serious bleeding disorder characterized by repeated bleeding episodes into joints and muscles which can lead to permanent disabilities. Treatment with factor replacement therapy has proven to be effective at preventing these complications; however, it can lead to formation of neutralizing antibodies termed inhibitors which significantly complicate the management of the disorder. These inhibitor patients suffer from increased morbidity and mortality and there has been a major unmet need for novel therapeutic approaches. Recently, one such therapy, emicizumab, has been licensed in the United States. Areas covered: This manuscript contains a detailed discussion of the mechanism of action, the clinical trial development program as well as a review of the benefits and risks of this novel agent. In addition, practical considerations for the use of the agent are also described. Expert commentary: Emicizumab represents a new class of medication for the treatment of hemophilia A which in the past has relied on factor replacement therapy and bypassing agent (alternative factor) therapy. Emicizumab fulfills two major unmet needs in patients with hemophilia who have FVIII inhibitors. First, it provides for a much more effective therapy for the prevention of bleeding and second it substantially reduces the treatment burden.

Clinical and laboratory approaches to hemophilia a

Hemophilia A is a worldwide disorder of coagulation system. It is a male disorder, yet females with hemophilia are rarely seen in communities with high rate of consanguineous marriages. The abnormalities in factor VIII gene transfer as an X-linked pattern in the family, affects as many as one-third of patients who had no family history of abnormality and thus the occurrence of a sporadic mutation could be documented. Hemorrhagic symptoms usually correlate with the plasma level of factor VIII and comprise a wide range of hemorrhagic pictures, including from fatal spontaneous bleeding in the brain to ecchymosis of the skin. The coagulation study needs to differentiate between the two types of hemophilia A and B as well as the categorization of the disease severity. In the developing countries, due to limitations in diagnostic hemostasis facilities and a scant number of experts in the field, it is estimated that noticeable numbers of undiagnosed patients with hemophilia A exist. Occasionally, we encounter undiagnosed cases by general physicians while having hemorrhagic symptoms. The purpose of this review is to recap clinical and diagnostic parameters, pitfalls, and interpretation of coagulation assay in hemophilia A. A literature review was done in PubMed and Scopus medical search engines using the keywords "Hemophilia" and "Haemophilia". A time limitation for the publication beyond 1995 and publication in the English language were considered. A total of 94 original articles and chapters of books was selected for the current review. Additionally, a comprehensive and up-to-date information on the clinical and laboratory features for the diagnosis of hemophilia is also presented.

Combined deficiency of coagulation factors V and VIII: an update

Combined deficiency of factor V (FV) and FVIII (F5F8D) is an autosomal recessive bleeding disorder characterized by simultaneous decreases of both coagulation factors. This review summarizes recent reports on the clinical presentations, treatments, and molecular mechanism of F5F8D. Genetic studies identified LMAN1 and MCFD2 as causative genes for this disorder, revealing a previously unknown intracellular transport pathway shared by the two important blood coagulation factors. LMAN1 and MCFD2 form a Ca2+-dependent cargo receptor complex that functions in the transport of FV/FVIII from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi. Disrupting the LMAN1-MCFD2 receptor, complex formation is the primary molecular defect of missense mutations leading to F5F8D. The EF-hand domains of MCFD2 are necessary and sufficient for the interactions with both LMAN1 and FV/FVIII. Similarly, the carbohydrate recognition domain of LMAN1 contains distinct and separable binding sites for both MCFD2 and FV/FVIII. Therefore, FV and FVIII likely carry duel sorting signals that are separately recognized by LMAN1 and MCFD2 and necessary for the efficient ER-to-Golgi transport. FV and FVIII likely bind LMAN1 through the high-mannose N-linked glycans under the higher Ca2+ conditions in the ER and dissociate in the lower Ca2+ environment of the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment.