Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy in patients with cancer undergoing operation for pathological fractures of the hip.

Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy is a serious complication of numerous pathological conditions, particularly metastatic cancer. It is rarely encountered in orthopaedic surgery. Prompt recognition and treatment is required to prevent death. We describe two patients with pathological fractures of the proximal femur due to metastatic disease who died from disseminated intravascular coagulation after operation. A high index of suspicion, careful monitoring of the clotting mechanism and prompt treatment are required.