ePoster
Talk Description
Institution: Tweed Valley Hospital - NSW, Australia
Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare congenital platelet function disorder characterised by defective glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, predisposing to mucocutaneous and post-traumatic bleeding. Management of even minor injuries can be challenging due to impaired platelet aggregation and refractoriness to transfusion.
A 17-year-old male with known GT presented following a mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event with a right conchal bowl haematoma sustained from repeated contact with an opponent’s leg. Initial assessment at a regional hospital excluded intracranial injury. He received 1 g oral tranexamic acid (TXA) and one unit of platelets, followed by incision and drainage (I+D) under auricular block with packing and pressure dressing. He was admitted overnight for observation and discharged on oral TXA, antibiotic prophylaxis, and haematology follow-up.
Six days later, following packing removal, the haematoma re-accumulated. He was re-admitted for repeat I+D under general anaesthesia. Haematology recommended a structured transfusion and TXA protocol: one unit of platelets pre- and post-operatively, 1 g intravenous TXA at induction, and oral TXA three times daily until wound healing. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged the following day.
This case highlights the complexity of managing soft-tissue trauma in GT, where even minor repetitive friction can cause significant bleeding and recurrence. Multidisciplinary coordination between ENT and haematology teams, combined with peri-operative antifibrinolytics and targeted platelet support, is essential to prevent re-accumulation and optimise outcomes.
Presenters
Authors
Authors
Dr Lachlan Jackson - , Dr John O'Neill -
