Salvage of a free flap after late total thrombosis of the flap and revascularisation.
We report a case of successful salvage of a free flap after a late total venous thrombosis. A free forearm flap was used to cover an exposed plate over the ankle. After a normal postoperative course, the patient suddenly developed a total venous thrombosis on day 11. Nevertheless the flap was salvaged completely. This event raises further questions about the revascularisation process, which is commonly thought to occur in 7-8 days.
Ribuffo
Diego
D
Department of Plastic Surgery, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. diegoribuffo@libero.it
Chiummariello
Stefano
S
Cigna
Emanuele
E
Scuderi
Nicolò
N
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007865:Leeches; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000098:blood supply; D017334:Teicoplanin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017334:Teicoplanin