Anesthetic management of coagulation factor V deficiency

Factor V deficiency, or Owren's disease, is a rare inherited recessive autonomic disorder that is congenital. The bleeding in patients with this disease depends on plasma levels of factor V. Anesthetic management is similar to that used for patients with other coagulation disorders. On the one hand, it is useful to initiate infusion of plasma if purified concentrates are not available. On the other hand, it is important to monitor hemostasis carefully so that bleeding during postoperative recovery can be prevented. Plasma and antifibrinolytic drugs such as tranexamic acid should continue to be administered in the first few days after surgery. We report the case of a man with homozygotic factor V deficiency who underwent surgery for colon cancer. This article reviews the main aspects of anesthetic management of this coagulation disorder.