[Perioperative management protocol of patients undergoing microsurgical flaps in main healthcare centers]

Microsurgery is one of the most fertile and innovative area in reconstructive surgery. Today it is considered an indispensable technique in plastic surgery with flaps survival rates over 95% in main healthcare centers. The factors involved in achieving these results are: the improvement of the surgical technique, adequate patient selection and careful perioperative care. Perioperative care starts at the initial assessment of the patient where it's very important to consider the indications and contraindications of these procedures. We use this type of reconstruction when we face complex and extensive defects, they are mostly of the times, difficult or impossible to reconstruct with other techniques. Antibiotic prophylaxis should begin an hour before initial incision. Free flap procedures are classified as maximum risk for venous thromboembolism so it's essential to indicate an appropriate prophylaxis. Normothermia, proper fluid management and judicious use of transfusions and vasopressor are a fundamental part of intraoperative care. Postoperative monitoring of these flaps is essential for early detection of vascular thrombosis in order to save the transferred tissue.