Low-molecular-weight heparin salvage in pedicled flap reconstruction in head and neck: a prospective cohort study

To determine if systemic administration of low-molecular-weight heparin impacts venous compromise in loco-regional flap reconstruction for head and neck subsites.

This prospective study was conducted on patients who had developed features of venous compromise of the flap. The case group received low-molecular-weight heparin (dalteparin).

Of the 73 patients who developed venous congestion, low-molecular-weight heparin was administered in 47 patients. In the low-molecular-weight heparin subset, 23 patients had either reversal or non-progression of venous compromise (48.9 per cent). Of the patients who had no response to low-molecular-weight heparin rescue, complete necrosis was seen in 4 and partial flap necrosis was observed in 19. The corresponding numbers in the control group were 13 and 12, respectively (odds ratio 23.9, p = 0.002). Additionally, the low-molecular-weight heparin arm had a lower incidence of partial or complete flap necrosis (p = 0.002).

Low-molecular-weight heparin salvage, when instituted early, is likely to result in a significant reduction in flap-related morbidity.