Fracture neck of femur in Factor XIII deficiency: Was better outcome possible?

The fracture in a Factor XIII deficiency patient is being reported for the first time in the literature. We report a displaced fracture neck of femur in a 17-year-old boy with Factor XIII deficiency. Open reduction and internal fixation was done 8 days after the following the initial injury. Two units each of fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate were given perioperatively to prevent excessive bleeding. No perioperative bleeding complications were encountered. At 18-months follow-up, the fracture had united with evidence of avascular necrosis. The fracture neck of femur in a child or young adult needs to be reduced and stabilized at the earliest to prevent devastating complications. Its occurrence in a patient with Factor XIII deficiency is to be managed like in a normal patient, but with extra perioperative care. Undue delay in fixation as happened in this case should be avoided for a better outcome.