Survival of a free flap after 20 hours of immediate post-operative venous occlusion

A case report illustrating survival of a free flap after 20 hours of immediate post-operative venous occlusion is presented. This represents the most dramatic salvage of a free flap in the authors experience. It suggests that the late diagnosis of venous obstruction may not preclude satisfactory reexploration and repair of a thrombosed vein. Nevertheless, it is the authors' opinion that the shorter the interval of venous obstruction the more satisfactory will be revision of the anastomosis.