Arch Craniofac Surg.  2017 Sep;18(3):162-165. 10.7181/acfs.2017.18.3.162.

Does Low-Dose Heparin Have a Significant Role in Free Flap Surgery?

• An MY
• Shin JY
• Lee YK
• Sabbagh MD
• Roh SG
• Lee NH

• KMID: 2390350
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7181/acfs.2017.18.3.162

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.

Keyword

Heparin; Free tissue flaps; Necrosis; Hematoma

MeSH Terms

Free Tissue Flaps*
Hematoma
Heparin*
Humans
Necrosis
Retrospective Studies
Thrombosis
Heparin