title: Impact of Timing of Admission and Microvascular Reconstruction on Free Flap Success Rates in Traumatic Upper Extremity Defects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite a growing body of knowledge, the timing of microsurgical reconstruction for the upper extremity remains a controversial topic. Most of the available literature deals with lower extremity reconstruction and the few reports on microsurgical reconstruction of the upper extremity are mostly concerned with infection rates and rarely consider thrombosis and changes in coagulation parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of all free flaps performed for upper extremity reconstruction at our institution from 2000 to 2010. Only acute, isolated traumatic defects of the upper extremity requiring a free flap for reconstruction were included in this study. A review of medical records was performed to assess, among others, comorbidities, timing of reconstruction, and platelet levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 41 patients were included in this study, 70% of whom were male. Mean age at the time of surgery was 40.8 ± 15.4 years. Patients who were directly referred to our hospital underwent reconstruction significantly faster than those who were transferred secondarily (p = 0.0001). The number of surgical revisions as well as the flap loss rate was higher in patients undergoing reconstruction more than 1 week after trauma (p = 0.09 and 0.033, respectively). A significantly higher platelet count was seen in the patients undergoing delayed reconstruction (p = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our study, early microsurgical reconstruction of the upper extremity yielded better results in terms of lower rates of surgical revisions and flap loss. This might be partly because of a trauma-induced thrombocythemia, with a maximum level of platelets in the 2nd week post trauma. We, therefore, advocate a timely coverage of these defects along with an anticoagulatory regimen including some form of platelet inhibition.
authors: Department of Plastic Surgery, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors: Jonas
authors: J
authors: Kolbenschlag
authors: Department for Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Trauma Center, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors: Marek
authors: M
authors: Klinkenberg
authors: Department for Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Trauma Center, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Hellmich
authors: Ethianum Clinic for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Aesthetic and Preventive, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Günter
authors: G
authors: Germann
authors: Department for Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Trauma Center, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors: Kai
authors: K
authors: Megerle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012086:Reoperation; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing