Two successful cases of DIEP flaps for breast reconstruction in patients with Factor V Leiden

Factor V Leiden (FVL) is the most common inherited hypercoagulable condition. It is a genetic disorder caused by a missense mutation that prevents inactivation of Factor V in the clotting cascade, leading to overproduction of thrombin and excess clotting. This pathophysiological process is especially unfavorable in patients undergoing free tissue transfer. Many authors have noted a propensity for both venous and arterial thrombosis leading to partial or complete flap loss. To date, there have been no published reports of patients with FVL undergoing deep inferior epigastric perforator flap reconstruction without flap complications. Here, the authors present two cases of successful free tissue transfer for breast reconstruction in patients with diagnosed FVL. The perioperative thromboelastography lab values are evaluated to help guide anticoagulation regimen for these high-risk procedures.