title: Anastomotic failure due to acute vasculitis in free flap transfer: a case report.
abstract: We report a case of anastomotic failure secondary to acute vasculitis in a free flap. Following transfer of a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, massive hemorrhage from the anastomosis occurred six days postoperatively. This was associated with segmental infarctions of the areas of the flap, which was removed. Transmural necrosis of the thoracodorsal artery, secondary to acute vasculitis was demonstrated by histology. Subsequent biopsies revealed an autoimmune vasculitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sanger
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Kadz
authors.lastname: Thu Minh Tieu
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Matloub
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Yousif
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D006085:Graft Survival; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000473:pathology; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000473:pathology*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology