Intraoperative haemorrhage associated with the use of extract of Saw Palmetto herb: a case report and review of literature

The significant increase in the use of alternative medicine in general and the herbal and dietary supplement in particular represents a challenge to the health care professionals. Because of their unregulated use, physicians are encountering increasing numbers of toxicities and untoward events. We report a case of severe intraoperative haemorrhage in a patient who was taking the herb Saw Palmetto. His bleeding time which was prolonged, normalized few days after he stopped the herb. This case should increase the awareness of physicians to such possible complications and encourage them to enquire thoroughly about the use of any dietary supplement in all their patients.