title: Salvage of a free flap after late total thrombosis of the flap and revascularisation.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. diegoribuffo@libero.it
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ribuffo
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chiummariello
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cigna
authors.forename: Nicolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scuderi
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017334:Teicoplanin