Current evidence for outcomes of free-flap reconstruction in factor V Leiden patients

Abstract

Background: Factor V Leiden is the most common form of inherited thrombophilic syndrome, affecting five per cent of caucasians. While increased rates of venous thromboembolic complications have been regularly reported in factor V Leiden patients, little is known about their risk of microvascular complications or flap failure rates in free-flap surgery. The aim of this review is to qualitatively review the published literature on outcomes of free-flap surgery in patients with factor V Leiden.
 Methods: MEDLINE®, PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane were searched from their dates of inception to March 2017. Nine studies of level IV evidence were included in this qualitative review. In total, these studies included 22 patients who underwent 24 free-flap operations.
 Results: Nine flap failures were reported due to thrombotic complications. Even heterozygous factor V Leiden patients had a relatively high risk of free-flap failure (3/15 free flaps), and patients who were heterozygous for factor V Leiden and had other coexistent thrombophilias had an even higher failure rate (5/6 free flaps). However, the small sample size across the nine studies, as well as the inevitable publication bias, means that definitive conclusions cannot be drawn.
 Conclusion: Despite factor V Leiden being a relatively common condition in Australia, current evidence for outcomes of free-flap reconstruction in this patient population is lacking.

Ghost Cell Odontogenic Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…Despite having significant comorbidities and a Factor V Leiden mutation, which is reported to have a 20% chance of free flap failure, this patient underwent successful resection and reconstruction of mandibular GCOC 5 …”

“…1 Despite having significant comorbidities and a Factor V Leiden mutation, which is reported to have a 20% chance of free flap failure, this patient underwent successful resection and reconstruction of mandibular GCOC. 5 CONCLUSION GCOC is a rare malignancy that can masquerade as a benign odontogenic tumor. Patients with GCOC should be referred to an oncologic surgeon and presented at a multidisciplinary tumor board.…”

The prognostic role of extended preoperative hypercoagulability work-up in high-risk microsurgical free flaps: a single-center retrospective case series of patients with heterozygotic factor V Leiden thrombophilia

“…In this context, factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation is an important factor predisposing patients to an increased risk of intra- and postoperative microvascular thromboses [ 5 , 6 ]. The prevalence of FVL in Europe is reported to amount up to 15% [ 7 ].…”