American journal of otolaryngology
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Perioperative management of antithrombotic medication in head and neck reconstruction-a retrospective analysis of 137 patients.
Various protocols exist to prevent thrombosis after free flap surgery in the head and neck. This study reviews the outcome and incidence of perioperative complications in patients undergoing head and neck reconstruction, simply using subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin. ⋯ The free flap survival rate using simple subcutaneous heparin seems to be equivalent to other management regimens. Therefore, we suggest that no additional antithrombotic treatment is needed for patients who undergo head and neck reconstruction with free tissue transfer.