Factor V Leiden associated with flap loss in microsurgical breast reconstruction

Microsurgery. 2011 Jul;31(5):409-12. doi: 10.1002/micr.20879. Epub 2011 Apr 18.

Abstract

Two cases are reported of flap loss following microsurgical perforator flap breast reconstruction in patients diagnosed with a factor V Leiden mutation. Factor V Leiden is the most common inherited cause of hypercoagulability, leading to an increased risk of thrombotic events. The first patient underwent a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap and then had recurrent arterial thrombosis both intraoperatively and postoperatively. This patient was subsequently diagnosed with a factor V Leiden mutation. The second patient had a known factor V Leiden mutation and underwent a superior gluteal artery perforator flap, which developed thrombosis and flap loss 2 days later. Preoperative assessment of a personal or family history of unexplained venous or arterial thrombosis should prompt suspicion of a factor V Leiden mutation. This mutation places patients at high risk for thromboembolic events in microvascular breast reconstruction, particularly when oral contraceptives or tamoxifen are used in conjunction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Factor V / genetics*
  • Female
  • Free Tissue Flaps*
  • Graft Occlusion, Vascular / diagnosis
  • Graft Occlusion, Vascular / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Mammaplasty / methods*
  • Microsurgery*
  • Middle Aged
  • Point Mutation
  • Thrombosis / diagnosis
  • Thrombosis / genetics*

Substances

  • factor V Leiden
  • Factor V