Evaluation of intraoperative anticoagulants in microvascular free-flap surgery.

Abstract

This retrospective study evaluated anticoagulants used during surgery to determine efficacy and associated complications. The patient population was comprised of 15 patients who underwent microvascular free-flap surgery for wound coverage of the lower one third of the leg. Results indicated that the use of heparin in conjunction with other anticoagulants was associated with the development of more hematomas compared with the use of aspirin and dextran, both separately and together.