Free-flap failure in thrombophilia: case report and systematic review of the literature.

Abstract

Free-tissue transfer has become routine surgery because of standardization of instrumentation, techniques, and training. The incidence of microvascular thrombosis leading to free-flap failure is relatively low; however, anastomotic thrombosis can still occur despite the best of circumstances. Although majority of the time it is due to technical mishap or misjudgment, free-flap failure can occur due to intrinsic factors, such as the patient's increased propensity to develop clots. We describe a case report of a patient with malignancy and multiple thrombophilias, which led to 2 successive failures in microvascular flap transfer to restore abdominal domain. The aim o f this article is to increase awareness of the potential for thrombophilias to cause a dismal outcome in free-tissue transfer. A review of the literature will be presented, and published cases of free-flap failure in patients with thrombophilia(s) will be summarized.

• Authors: Krithika Srikanthan, Nisha Viswanathan, James C Yuen
• Journal: Annals of plastic surgery (Ann Plast Surg) Vol. 71 Issue 6 Pg. 675-81 (Dec 2013) ISSN: 1536-3708 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23429221 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review, Systematic Review)

Topics

• Free Tissue Flaps (blood supply)
• Graft Survival
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Complications (etiology, surgery)
• Thrombophilia (complications)
• Thrombosis (etiology, surgery)