Microvascular breast reconstruction pedicle thrombosis: how long can we wait?

Re-exploration plays a key role in salvaging vascularly compromised free flaps. A retrospective review of 290 free flaps in breast reconstruction was performed to determine whether the time delay between thrombosis detection and surgical re-exploration had any effect on flap salvage. Overall flap success was 97.6%. Postoperative thrombosis requiring re-exploration was documented in 6.2% cases. Fifty-five percent of take-back flaps were salvaged and 45% were lost. The median time between detection of flap compromise to surgical incision was 128 min in our saved flaps, and 228 min in the lost flap group. Our preliminary data suggests that re-exploration within 188 min may improve flap salvage.