The Efficacy of Prophylactic Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin to Prevent Pulmonary Thromboembolism in Immediate Breast Reconstruction Using the TRAM Flap

• DOI: 10.1097/prs.0b013e3181904be7
• Publication Date: 2008-12-30T09:37:47Z
• Authors: Eun Key Kim; Jin Sup Eom; Sei Hyun Ahn; Byung Ho Son; Taik Jong Lee
• Keywords: Seroma

Background: Immediate breast reconstruction using the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap is associated with multiple risk factors for pulmonary thromboembolism, incidence of which has been reported to be as high 6.3 percent. The authors conducted a prospective study efficacy prophylactic use low-molecular-weight heparin prevent thromboembolism. Methods: Six hundred fifty consecutive patients who underwent immediate TRAM flaps between August 2001 and April 2007 were included in this study. No medical prophylaxis was administered former 450 (group 1). Since February 2006, enoxaparin routinely given latter 200 2) 7 days, from day surgery. Fifty-four group 1 1c) 68 2 2c) examined asymptomatic Incidences symptomatic decreases hemoglobin, bleeding-related complications compared. Results: Although thromboembolism did not differ significantly groups (1.8 percent versus 0 percent; p = 0.107), that higher 1c than 2c (16.7 0.009). hemoglobin decrease different (2.5 g/dl 2.8 2; 0.001), but incidences transfusion, hematoma, seroma showed no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Prophylactic effective preventing without increasing problematic patients.