title: Recurrent venous thrombosis following free flap surgery: The role of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
abstract: Complications following free tissue transfer have been well established in the literature. Common and rare causes of free flap failure must be addressed by the treating surgeon when microvascular patency is threatened. With the evolution and prevalence of microsurgery, 'rare' causes of free flap failure will become increasingly frequent. A high index of suspicion must be established in patients with multiple failed operative interventions. A case of recurrent free flap failure secondary to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is presented in a patient with a history of squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth, and a long-standing history of alcohol and tobacco consumption.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nikolis
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Christopoulos
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saint-Cyr
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cordoba
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guertin
authors.forename: Patrick G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Harris
keywords: Free flap failure; Heparin; Heparin induced thrombocytopenia; Leeches; Venous thrombosis