Does Low-Dose Heparin Have a Significant Role in Free Flap Surgery?.
10.7181/acfs.2017.18.3.162
- Author:
Mun Young AN
1
;
Jin Yong SHIN
;
Young Keun LEE
;
M Diya SABBAGH
;
Si Gyun ROH
;
Nae Ho LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea. psjyshin@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Heparin;
Free tissue flaps;
Necrosis;
Hematoma
- MeSH:
Free Tissue Flaps*;
Hematoma;
Heparin*;
Humans;
Necrosis;
Retrospective Studies;
Thrombosis
- From:Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
2017;18(3):162-165
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: It is controversial issue that heparin decreases thrombosis for microsurgical anastomosis, and its effective role is under discussion. This study is for proving whether low-dose heparin is preventing thrombosis in free flap reconstruction. METHODS: Through chart reviews of 134 patients, using low-dose heparin for free tissue transfer from 2011 to 2016, retrospective analysis was performed. 33 patients received low-dose heparin therapy after surgery. And 101 patients received no-heparin therapy. Complications included flap necrosis, hematoma formation, dehiscence and infection. RESULTS: In no-heparin therapy group, comparing the flap necrosis revealed 16 cases (15.84%). And, flap necrosis was 6 cases (18.18%) in low-dose heparin therapy group. The statistical analysis of flap necrosis rate showed no significant difference (p=0.75). The results showed that there was no significant difference of flap necrosis rate between two groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, patients in the low-dose heparin group had no significantly lower rates of flap failure compared with no-heparin group. This suggests that low-dose heparin may not prevent thrombosis and subsequent flap failure to a significant extent.
