This study describes a case of a successful free flap repair using argatroban for local intraluminal irrigation as a substitute to heparin in a patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Methods:
Case report and review of literature.
Results:
The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, and the free flap survived without complications.
Conclusions:
The use of argatroban during microvascular surgery is likely to be safe and simple and may be effective in preventing micro-thrombotic complications during microvascular surgery, and it should be considered as an alternative to heparinized saline for local intraluminal irrigation.
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