Value of the preoperative history as an indicator of hemostatic disorders.

Eighty-three general surgical patients completed the standardized bleeding history questionnaire, and screening tests of platelet counts, prothrombin times, partial thromboplastin times, and Ivy bleeding times were done on these patients. Fifty-two per cent had undergone previous operation; 25% described symptoms of potential hemostatic disorders and seven per cent had positive family histories. Laboratory results indicated abnormalities in five patients (6%). The bleeding history is an important part of the preoperative evaluation of a patient, but it can have serious false-negative results. This history should guide the selection of laboratory tests. Such testing can yield an unexpectedly high rate of abnormalities. When identified, these abnormalities require further investigation.