A review of systemic anticoagulant use in 517 free flap procedures was
performed to determine the associated risk of hematoma formation. Pat
ients were divided retrospectively (not randomly) into five groups: no
anticoagulation (227 flaps, 5.3 percent hematomas), low-dose heparin
bolus of 2000 to 3000 units and postoperative infusion at a rate of 10
0 to 400 units/hr for 5 to 7 days (192 flaps, 6.7 percent hematomas),
intraoperative bolus of 5000 units of heparin without postoperative an
ticoagulation (46 flaps, 6.5 percent hematomas), high-dose heparin inf
usion at a rate of 500 to 1200 units/hr (30 flaps, 20 percent hematoma
s), and dextran 40 infusion at a rate of 25 ml/hr (22 flaps, 9.1 perce
nt hematomas). Intraoperative blood loss was similar for all groups. T
he flap loss rate was lower in the bolus (1.0 percent) and low-dose (1
.0 percent) heparin groups than in the no-anticoagulation group (4.4 p
ercent), but this difference was not statistically significant. The pe
dicle thrombosis rate also was lower in the bolus (2.2 percent) and lo
w-dose (2.1 percent) heparin groups than in the no-anticoagulation gro
up (6.2 percent). A cause-and-effect relationship between the use of a
nticoagulants and flap loss or prevention of thrombosis could not be e
stablished. We can conclude, however, that the use of low-dose heparin
does not increase significantly the risk of hematoma or intraoperativ
e bleeding.