SACROCOCCYGEAL TERATOMA - IMPROVED HEMOSTASIS AFTER APROTININ

A neonate underwent resection of an extensive sacrococcygeal teratoma after receiving a bolus of 40,000 Kallikrein Inhibitory Units of aprot inin at induction of anaesthesia. The measured blood loss was 30 ml, l ess than 10% of blood volume, and was replaced with an intravenous col loid solution, avoiding blood transfusion. The blood loss was low comp ared to previous resections of similar sacrococcygeal teratomas (mean 118 ml, range 60-250 ml) and suggests that aprotinin may be beneficial in blood conservation during extensive dissections in infants.