BACKGROUND: In patients with large colon polyps, late-onset bleeding may be more likely to occur because of the larger cutting surface. In these patients, hemostatic agents may be applied to prevent the late-onset bleeding. A total of 7 patients developed hypofibrinogenemia caused by hemocoagulase following excision of colon polyps in our center from November to December 2015.

CASE REPORT: Seven patients underwent excision of colon polyps in our center from November to December 2015. The cutting face was large in these patients after surgery; therefore, hemocoagulase was used to prevent potential late-onset bleeding. Evaluation of clotting function showed that the fibrinogen level was normal before surgery in all 7 patients. Hemocoagulase was intravenously administered twice daily beginning from postoperative day 1. Hypofibrinogenemia of varying severity occurred 2–4 d later. Three patients also had lower-gastrointestinal bleeding. After drug withdrawal and infusion of fibrinogen, blood fibrinogen level gradually returned to normal. In contrast, among 13 patients who had not received hemocoagulase treatment for preventing hemorrhage following excision of colon polyps, detection of blood fibrinogen before surgery and 2–4 d after showed normal results.

CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of Hemocoagulase For Injection for the prevention of late-onset bleeding is not recommended for patients who have undergone excision of colon polyps. Hemocoagulase following excision of colon polyps can cause hypofibrinogenemia and even lower-gastrointestinal bleeding.

Keywords: Afibrinogenemia, colonic polyps, Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage